Civil society activists filed an impeachment complaint Monday against Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte, escalating a political crisis sparked by her recent death threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and allegations of corruption, human rights violations, and foreign policy failures.
The comprehensive complaint, endorsed by Representative Percival Cendana, accuses Duterte of constitutional violations, betrayal of public trust, and “high crimes.” Central to the charges is a November 23 threat where Duterte, 46, claimed she had contracted an assassin to target President Marcos, his wife, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she were killed.
“The extent of respondent’s mental incapacity, her depravity and lack of mental fitness to continue holding the high office of vice president of the Philippines” makes her unfit for office, states the complaint obtained by The Associated Press.
The impeachment bid comes amid ongoing congressional investigations into Duterte’s alleged misuse of 612.5 million pesos ($10.3 million) in confidential funds while serving as vice president and education secretary. Her refusal to fully cooperate with televised hearings and a confrontation over her chief of staff’s temporary detention has further strained relations with lawmakers.
Additional charges include accusations of unexplained wealth and continuing her father’s controversial anti-drug campaign during her tenure as Davao City mayor. Former police officer Arturo Lascanas alleges she permitted extrajudicial killings of drug suspects to continue in Davao, a campaign currently under investigation by the International Criminal Court.
The complaint also criticizes Duterte’s stance on Chinese territorial claims in the South China Sea, though China is not explicitly named in the filing.
The impeachment process faces a complex political landscape in Congress, dominated by allies of Marcos and Romualdez, with whom Duterte has increasingly feuded despite their landslide victory as running mates in 2022. The timing presents additional challenges, with Congress entering its Christmas recess December 20 and midterm election campaigns beginning shortly after its January return.
While President Marcos has dismissed impeachment proceedings as potentially time-consuming, opposition leaders maintain the necessity of accountability. The National Bureau of Investigation has separately summoned Duterte regarding her threats, prompting increased security measures for the president and his family.
