Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday, Feb. 7, dismissed the impeachment complaint filed by progressive groups and endorsed by Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima and Akbayan Rep. Percival Cendaña as “nothing but a scrap of paper.”
In a statement, Duterte described the filing of the complaints against her as “nothing new” and said it was expected following her resignation from the Marcos administration.
“They did this because the President can no longer explain the decline of our country due to his neglect and vice,” Duterte said, though she did not specify what she meant by “vice.”
Duterte criticized the 19th Congress for opening an “investigation in aid of legislation,” claiming it was not intended to create laws but rather to serve as a “fishing expedition” for the planned impeachment case against her.
She also defended herself against allegations of corruption, referring to the issue of “Mary Grace Piattos” and noting that multiple investigations found no direct violations regarding her use of confidential funds.
Duterte further questioned Akbayan’s credibility to endorse and file an impeachment complaint, citing the party leader, Senator Risa Hontiveros, who has openly supported her potential presidential bid—a move Duterte described as politically motivated.
“It is clear that Akbayan’s move is just a form of harassment and an abuse of the process of impeachment,” Duterte said.
