By Noriko Yamamoto

On Monday, February 9, religious groups and lawyers filed the third impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte to the House of Representatives, for alleged betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, and the misuse of at least P612 million in confidential funds.

Counsel for the complainants, Atty. Amando Virgil Ligutan, said the impeachment complaint draws from House committee findings on the alleged misuse of confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd).

Also included is Duterte’s alleged threat to assassinate President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., and claims by Ramil Madriaga asserting Duterte’s involvement in drug money.

The complaint — endorsed by Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima — stated that “Vice President Sara [Duterte], as head of both offices, had the ultimate role of approving and overseeing the implementation of the programs under both offices. And, without her approval, no confidential funds may be released or disposed of.” 

After filing the complaint, Ligutan told reporters, “The Sandiganbayan recently decided to sentence a public school principal, for pocketing P5,000, to 11 years of imprisonment … Can we give a free pass to the vice president for stealing not one, not two, but P612.5 million?”

He also explained that the contrast is unjust since ordinary citizens are jailed for small sums while the vice president is spared accountability because of her family name.

Other complainants include Rev. Fr. Joel Saballa, Rev. Fr. Joselito Sarabia, Rev. Fr. Edilberto Baculi, Rev. Fr. Rogelio del Rosario, Pastor Leonard Arevalo, Pinky Tam, Maria Loreto Lopez, Atty. Jalilo dela Torre, Atty. Democrito Barcenas, Atty. Lourdes Barcenas, Sr. Ma. Liza Ruedas, Sr. Violeta B. Cecilio, and Sr. Geraldine I. Den.

“Kaya kami ay narito at nagpa-file para gamitin ang oportunidad para siya [ay maobliga na] magpaliwanag, [at] ilabas ang ebidensiya niya,” Sabella said.

He added, “Ang aming mga abogado ay nakahanda [rin] upang ilatag naman po ang aming mga pananaw, [at] ang aming mga ebidensiya laban po sa pangalawang pangulo.”

Furthermore, the complaint pointed out that Duterte failed to justify her use of confidential funds for purchases unrelated to confidential activities.

It also noted that her report to the Commission on Audit (COA) was allegedly meant to conceal the fact that the OVP never carried out any surveillance or information-gathering operations and that the funds were misappropriated. 

De Lima emphasized that the complaint is supported by substantial evidence like COA findings, admissions from the vice president and her staff during a House inquiry, and liquidation records listing fictitious payees of confidential funds.

“Sigurado rin po ako, just like the second complaint, na papasa ito sa stage ng pag-determine ng sufficiency in form and substance and hanggang doon sa proceedings sa House which, as I said, is ‘yung pag-evaluate na ng mga ebidensiya kasi sasagutin nga ‘yan. Papasagutin ang respondent — si VP Sara,” she stated.

De Lima also rejected Duterte’s claim that impeachment efforts are politically motivated ahead of the May 2028 presidential elections, stressing that the complainants stand to gain nothing politically from seeking her removal from office.