COUNCILORS Pamela Librado-Morata, Ralph Abella, Al Ryan Alejandre, and Temujin Ocampo speak at the Pulong-Pulong sa Dabawenyos media forum at the Sangguniang Panlungsod on Monday afternoon, Jan. 12. (Photo via Ivy Tejano / MB)
DAVAO CITY – City government officials criticized on Monday, Jan. 12, the renewed move to file an impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, describing the effort as politically motivated and a distraction from more pressing concerns.
Speaking at the Pulong-Pulong sa Dabawenyos media forum at Sangguniang Panlungsod here, Committee on Environment and Natural Resources chairperson Councilor Temujin Ocampo said it was evident that the motivation behind it is purely political.
Ocampo said that although the Office of the Vice President had earlier indicated it was ready to address any complaint, he questioned the revived complaint, given that it had been previously discussed and addressed by the concerned official.
“Vice President Duterte already answered the matter earlier, and here we go again. To me, this is purely a political issue. The 2028 elections are just around the corner, and rival camps are already positioning themselves,” Ocampo said.
Ocampo called for prayers for the country, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and local officials serving their communities, and said accountability should focus on those involved in passing and allegedly misusing the General Appropriations Act.
Committee on Cooperative Development and People’s Participation chairman Councilor Al Ryan Alejandre echoed Ocampo. He added that the general public is already weary of impeachment issues.
“The best way to do it right is moving forward. The administration should focus on the real problems of the country – the economy, providing jobs for the jobless, addressing the high prices of basic goods, and poverty,” Alejandre said.
Alejandre noted that survey results showing low trust and performance ratings for the current administration reflect public dissatisfaction, adding that pushing impeachment would only waste time and public funds.
Committee on Agriculture, Aquaculture, Food, and Animals chairman Councilor Ralph Abella said the impeachment push is obviously driven by a political agenda, particularly over issues related to confidential funds.
“Why single out the Vice President when other offices like the President (Ferdinand Marcos Jr.) have even larger confidential funds?” Abella said, adding that Vice President Duterte continues to perform her duties well.
Committee on Civil, Political, and Human Rights, and Labor and Employment chairwoman Councilor Pamela Librado-Morata said that while filing an impeachment is a right, public servants should not lose sight of more pressing concerns.
Pwersa ng Pilipinong Pandagat Rep. Harold Duterte reminded Congress in a statement that the Constitution defines the grounds for impeachment, including treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, and betrayal of public trust.
If these grounds are used as their basis, Duterte said the Vice President should not be subjected to impeachment. He added that discussions on the matter have resurfaced as the one-year constitutional ban on impeachment cases nears its end.
Duterte urged fellow members of Congress to pause and return to first principles, stressing that each impeachment ground must be scrutinized, honestly, and in good faith. He said lawmakers must be free from political pressure or partisan motives.
“We must ask ourselves – without political pressure or partisan motivation – whether the Vice President truly committed any act that rises to these grave constitutional standards,” the lawmaker added.
Duterte stated that at the end of 2025, the country would face more pressing issues, including the national budget, the P60-billion PhilHealth fund controversy, the protection of small fisherfolk, and unresolved flood control problems.
He said the country faces many problems and more questions. He added that Congress should focus on passing laws, investigating essential issues, and collaborating with the Executive branch to find solutions to the problems.
As Congress resumes its session after the holiday recess, Duterte said lawmakers should scrutinize any impeachment complaint, assess the evidence, and vote based on their conscience, the truth, and the Constitution.
Duterte emphasized that impeachment should not be used as a political weapon, describing it as a profound and extraordinary process that should only be pursued when there is a clear and genuine offense.
A group of supporters of Vice President Duterte reaffirmed support for her. They stressed on Monday that opponents could not bring down the Dutertes, who are genuinely serving the people and have delivered concrete contributions to the country.
Impeachment complaints against Vice President Duterte are on hold as Congress awaits the Supreme Court’s decision on the motion for reconsideration related to the 20th Congress, which is expected within the next three to four weeks.
House Senior Deputy Minority Leader Edgar Erice revealed in a radio interview on Monday that there are also discussions about a possible impeachment complaint against Marcos.
Erice said leaders of some groups had approached him to endorse an impeachment case against the President. He added that he would not endorse impeachment complaints against either Marcos or Vice President Duterte.
The lawmaker cited new Supreme Court rules requiring such cases to be referred to the House Committee on Justice. He said following proper procedure would allow lawmakers to make informed decisions.
He also disclosed that “betrayal of public trust” is being considered as the ground for the planned impeachment efforts, which he believes may be linked to issues surrounding the national budget.
Erice said it is uncertain whether impeachment complaints against Marcos or Vice President Duterte will garner the needed one-third vote in the House, as lawmakers’ decisions may be influenced by the 2028 elections and their own political careers.