Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday said she was not surprised that a fresh impeachment complaint may be filed against her, claiming that it is being used as a “bargaining chip” by lawmakers ahead of the passage of the 2026 national budget.

“The latest pronouncement by some members of the House of Representatives on a new impeachment complaint is not surprising. Its timing reveals a pattern that has become all too familiar,” Duterte said in a statement.

Duterte alleged that as early as February 2024, signatures for her impeachment were being courted in exchange for budget allocations.

“Not long ago, Sen. Chiz Escudero, Rep. Toby Tiangco, and several House members revealed that, back in February 2024, signatures for my impeachment were being courted in exchange for budget allocations,” Duterte said.

“Their statements have unmasked the truth that the impeachment complaint against me was never really driven by principle but by price,” the Vice President added.

Militant coalition Bagong Alyansang Makabayan earlier said it is preparing a fresh impeachment complaint against Duterte once the constitutionally mandated one-year ban on such filings lapses on 5 February 2026.

Duterte also lamented that no formal investigation was conducted to hold anyone accountable for the alleged misuse of public funds.

“Despite such revelations, no inquiry or investigation was conducted to hold anyone accountable for the billions of pesos that were squandered on political warfare when they should have been used to serve the Filipino people,” Duterte said.

“Now, this constitutional mechanism is being dangled once again as a bargaining chip right before the 2026 National Budget is passed. To those who continue to exploit the impeachment process, stop hiding behind the language of good governance,” she added.

Duterte said she remains ready to face accusations against her.

“I have always stood ready to answer any allegation grounded in fact and truth. But I cannot remain silent while the impeachment process is being twisted into a budget-driven racket,” she said.