Impeachment complaint against VP Sara Duterte raises questions on timing and politics

The impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte appears to be a last-minute political tactic, raising questions about its attainability given the upcoming senatorial elections.

In an interview with University of Santo Tomas department chair of Political Science Dennis Coronacion on DAILY TRIBUNE’S digital show USAPANG OFW on 6 February, he highlighted that the impeachment’s timing seems like a “last-minute effort” that comes just before the official campaign period.

“I don’t know if this [impeachment timing] is planned, or if there was a strategy behind it, but definitely it’s a last-minute effort to do something about the impeachment complaint before they go for the campaign,” the political science department chair said.

Despite the timing, Coronacion noted that the impeachment may be a significant move toward holding Duterte accountable for a series of transgressions that spiked during her political career. He particularly highlighted the issue in the second article of impeachment, which accused the vice president of alleged misuse of confidential funds.

Other impeachment articles filed against Duterte include death threats to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the alleged distribution of cash envelopes, her ‘hidden’ wealth amounting to P2 million, extrajudicial killings, and inciting sedition.

A political statement?

Atty. Edward Chico echoed Coronacion’s concerns, emphasizing that the impeachment process appears to be driven more by political maneuvering than genuine legal accountability.

“At the last moment, the House passed the ball to the Senate, which obviously may not have the time to proceed with the trial,” Chico said.

He also pointed out that the timing of the impeachment is unusual, given that the 19th Congress is nearing its adjournment.

“When Congress ends or adjourns, all unfinished business ends with it too,” he explained, noting that bills not passed before adjournment must be refiled in the next Congress.

Chico reiterated that the House of Representatives may have pursued impeachment mainly to make a political statement rather than to see the process through.

Meanwhile, while the impeachment’s timing has created the impression of a “railroaded process,” Coronacion clarified that it was still conducted within legal bounds.

He explained that the House of Representatives has two ways to pass an impeachment complaint: one is the lengthier process of undergoing committee hearings before being forwarded to the plenary, while the other is a “shortcut” requiring at least one-third of House members to sign the complaint, which automatically transmits it to the Senate. In Duterte’s case, lawmakers opted for the latter.

A symbolism

The impeachment complaint was first signed by the president’s son, Sandro Marcos, and was last signed by his cousin, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez — a move that Coronacion sees as a routine exercise of their legislative functions, but one that carries significant weight given their close ties to the president.

“It gives the impression that the president has given his approval,” he noted.

Coronacion also pointed to a recent statement by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who claimed that “the president has nothing to do with impeachment complaints being acted on.” However, he believes this statement carries an underlying message.

“For me, that sends a strong signal to House members that they are free to take action,” Coronacion emphasized.

What awaits

Senator Chiz Escudero recently stated that an impeachment trial cannot proceed during Congress' session break and may only take place after the midterm elections in May.

Reactions to the potential impeachment of the vice president have been mixed, particularly among political allies. Former presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo remarked that she would face the proceedings "courageously and competently."

The Vice President is set to address the matter in a press conference on 7 February at the OVP Central Office.