Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua agrees with the notion that the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte is a testing ground for her "fitness" as chief executive, especially given her presidential aspirations in the 2028 elections.

This, as Chua wondered what would happen if Duterte--as the potential next Philippine leader--showed the same temperament as Vice President, this time on the world stage.

"Could you imagine sa 2028, sa 2028 siya po ay lalahok sa pagka-pangulo. Hindi po ba napakahalaga na malinis niya ang kanyang pangalan? (Could you imagine in 2028, in 2028 she will vie for the presidency. Shouldn't it be of utmost importance for her to clear her name?)” Chua asked in a recent online interview.

“Papaano ka haharap sa ibang mga bansa na kung hindi mo makuha ‘yung gusto, bigla ka na lang magwawala at magte-threaten ka? (How would you face other nations if there's a possibility that you'll make a scene or make threats of you don't get what you want?)"

"So that is not how you do it as a leader of the country,” the Manila solon noted.

Chua was apparently referring to Duterte’s alleged threat to kill President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez during a November 2024 press conference.

This allegation is the subject of impeachment complaints that are being heard by the House Committee on Justice.

Neither Duterte nor her lawyers have participated in the impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives so far.

Batangas 2nd district Rep. Gerville "Jinky Bitrics" Luistro, justice panel chairperson, said "It is important that all who are desiring to occupy a public position in the future should be the best example of this mandate of accountability.”

"Kasi we’re talking about, hindi kasi maihiwalay ‘yung 2028 election (Because we're talking about, we cannot separate the 2028 elections from this). And the Vice President already pronounced her intention to run. So I think this is one avenue for the Filipino people to see whether or not the Vice President is really fit to be the next president in 2028,” she said.

Another major allegation against Duterte is the alleged misuse of P612.5 million worth of confidential funds under the Office of the Vice President (OVP) amd Department of Education (DepEd). Duterte was the education secretary from 2022 to 2024.

According to Chua, the confidential funds issue reflects on a leader’s capacity to manage greater responsibilities.

“Kung ikaw ay pinagkatiwalaan ng worth 600 million na pondo sa iyong departamento at sa iyong opisina, ay papaano pa kaya pag ikaw ay naging pangulo ng Pilipinas kung saan trillion na ang hahawakan mong pondo?” Chua asked.

(If you were entrusted with P600 million worth of funds in your department and office, how much more if you became president of the Philippines where you would be handling trillions in funds?)

“So kung sa maliit, sa akin pong palagay, hindi naman po maliit ‘yung P600 million, pero kung sa ganitong pondo ay hindi ka mapagkakatiwalaan ay papaano pa sa trilyon trilyon na pondo?” he added.

(So if in the smaller amount, although I don’t consider P600 million small, but if with this kind of fund you cannot be trusted, how much more with trillions upon trillions of funds?)

The 2024 hearings of the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability--chaired by Chua--formed a key basis for the impeachment complaints after it flagged the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in secret funds.

The Chua panel also uncovered other significant findings, including alleged irregularities in the disbursement of confidential funds, questionable liquidation documents, and claims of bribery involving DepEd officials.