Protesters call for action on impeachment raps vs VP Duterte


Protesters gathered near the People Power Monument on Epifanio De Los Santos Avenue (EDSA), Quezon City, on Friday, Jan. 31, to demand for immediate action on the impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte.

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LOOK: Hundreds of protesters gathered near the People Power Monument on EDSA on Friday, Jan. 31, calling for immediate action on the impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte. Various progressive and democratic groups as well as social movements, sectoral organizations, and religious leaders joined the demonstration to voice their grievances and demand for accountability. (Photo by Hannah Nicol/MANILA BULLETIN)

 

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Thousands of rallyists from Akbayan and Magdalo group marched along White Plains Avenue near EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City to call for the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte due to the alleged misuse of millions of confidential funds on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. (Santi San Juan)

 

The demonstration aimed to urge the House of Representatives to uphold its constitutional duty to the Filipino people.

The protest began with a march where participants chanted, “Sara patalsikin, abusado alisin!” (Remove Sara, eliminate the abusive!).

This was followed by a mass and a formal program.

According to Akbayan Party-list, more than a month has passed since citizens courageously filed the impeachment complaints before Congress.

"The people have done their part. Now, it is Congress’s turn to act decisively," the group stated.

The protesters emphasized that the rally was not just a test of VP Duterte’s accountability but also a test of Congress’s commitment to truth, justice, and the rule of law.

They also called for greater transparency and an end to corruption.

"Vice President Duterte’s gross misuse of confidential and intelligence funds, among other impeachable offenses, is a blatant betrayal of public trust and a troubling disregard for the nation’s welfare," the protesters declared.

They further stressed that public funds must never be treated as personal entitlements or tools for political gain, whether by the Dutertes, the Marcoses, or any other political dynasty.

They argued that impeaching the Vice President is a necessary step to safeguard public resources which should be used to improve the lives of Filipinos rather than to advance personal ambitions.

The protesters also expressed solidarity with other groups holding demonstrations in separate locations including in EDSA Shrine, Liwasang Bonifacio, and/or Rizal Park, Manila, emphasizing that these protests reflect a growing movement united by the pursuit of truth, justice, and accountability.

The groups called on the House of Representatives to act swiftly and without political bias.

"We therefore call on the House of Representatives to act without fear or favor and immediately proceed with the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte," they urged.

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Police officers from the Quezon City Police District secure and conduct a perimeter at the EDSA People Power Monument along EDSA, Quezon City, on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, following a rally launched by the groups Akbayan and Magdalo calling for the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte due to the alleged misuse of millions of confidential funds. (Santi San Juan)

 

 

Meanwhile, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) deployed 458 personnel to ensure the safety of both protesters and motorists in the area.

The event was led by Akbayan Party-list Representative Percival “Perci” Cendeña who endorsed the first impeachment complaint, and Fr. Joel Saballa, representing the complainants of the third impeachment case.

Several groups also participated in the rally, including ML Party-list, Magdalo Party-list Second Nominee Eugene Gonzales, Father Flavie Villanueva, SVD, Kiko Aquino Dee, EveryWoman, the August Twenty-One Movement (ATOM), and leaders from SIKLAB, the Nagkaisa Labor Coalition, Kalipunan, the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP), ASAP, Akbayan Youth, among others.