More Pinoys want Sara ousted, lawmakers claim

Over four of 10 Filipinos support the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte over her purported mishandling of P612.5 million in confidential funds, administration lawmakers claimed yesterday.

House Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega V and House Assistant Majority Leader Jefferson Khonghun cited a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey that showed that 41 percent of Filipinos back the ouster of the VP, outpacing those opposed (35 percent), and the undecided (19 percent).

“The numbers don’t lie. The public is demanding accountability, and this survey reflects their growing frustration over the glaring irregularities surrounding the Vice President’s actions,” Khonghun said.

Duterte has been in hot water since the middle of last year over alleged irregularities in her use of confidential funds: P500 million in the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and P112.5 million in the Department of Education (DepEd), which she headed for two years. She resigned from DepEd on 19 July last year.

A huge portion of the confidential funds was flagged by the Commission on Audit and was later found by the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability to have been supported by fictitious acknowledgment receipts (ARs).

The panel learned that the confidential funds intended for official purposes were disbursed to unauthorized individuals, including security officers in the VP’s offices instead of the designated special disbursing officers, who testified that they only acted in compliance with Duterte’s orders.

The findings of the congressional investigation resulted in the filing of three impeachment complaints against Duterte with another petition expected to come next week.

The petitioners from multi-sectoral groups accused the VP of culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust.

Duterte has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

But according to Ortega, the evidence against her is glaring: from the misuse of confidential funds to a pattern of governance riddled with questionable actions.

“The Filipino people deserve answers, and their support for impeachment shows they are demanding transparency and justice,” he said.

Clear signs

Akbayan Rep. Percival Cendaña, an endorser of one impeachment complaint, said the survey result was an obvious indication of the growing public consensus to remove Duterte from office.

“This survey not only validates the growing distrust towards the Vice President but also highlights the Filipino people’s resolve to hold the powerful accountable,” Cendaña averred.

Duterte has maintained that there is no truth in the accusations against her, dismissing the House probe as “well-funded” and a “coordinated political attack” aimed at discrediting her because of her future political ambitions.

The VP, it is widely believed, will run for president in 2028 and her impeachment would be her biggest hurdle.