Malacañang on Tuesday urged the public and lawmakers to treat any potential impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte with the same thoroughness as investigations into flood control project anomalies, even as doubts persist over whether such a bid will push through.

Palace Press Undersecretary Claire Castro said during a briefing that if an impeachment complaint is filed, it should be investigated deeply and fairly, similar to the ongoing probe into alleged irregularities in government flood control projects.

“Ito ay dapat na ituring na parang flood control mess na kung kinakailangan imbestigahan ng malaman at managot dapat managot,” she said, emphasizing that anyone found accountable should face consequences.

Castro stressed that the House of Representatives ultimately decides whether to file and resolve an impeachment complaint, noting that lawmakers were elected to fulfill their constitutional roles.

She also clarified that the flood control issue and the possible impeachment are separate matters and should not be conflated.

Presidential stance and broader political backdrop

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has publicly said he will not oppose new impeachment efforts against the vice president and insists that any complaint should be thoroughly examined under due process.

His stance marks a notable shift from previous comments discouraging impeachment, reflecting a politically sensitive period ahead of future elections.

The impeachment buzz has drawn reactions from various political figures. Davao City officials have criticized potential impeachment moves as politically motivated and a waste of public funds, urging a focus on economic and social issues instead.

Meanwhile, Senate President Vicente Sotto III has said he would act “with dispatch” if impeachment cases against key leaders are formally filed, underscoring the legislature’s central role in such processes.

Historical context of Duterte’s impeachment

This is not the first time Vice President Duterte has faced impeachment. In February 2025, the House of Representatives endorsed a fourth impeachment complaint against her, accusing her of betrayal of public trust, misuse of funds, and other serious charges.

However, the Philippine Supreme Court later ruled the complaint unconstitutional due to the one-year bar rule in the Constitution, temporarily halting the process.

Duterte’s camp has described past impeachment efforts as politically driven, and she has indicated that future complaints could be filed after the constitutional bar lapses.

Accountability and public confidence

Castro reiterated that the administration remains committed to holding officials accountable where evidence warrants it, yet she urged patience and respect for institutional processes.

The flood control probe itself has been a politically charged issue, with Malacañang frequently calling for calm and due process as investigations proceed.