Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte confronts her fourth impeachment complaint this year, marking a significant escalation in political challenges following her announcement to pursue the presidency in 2028. The allegations center on the purported mishandling of 612.5 million Philippine pesos (approximately $39 million USD) in confidential funds during her initial 18 months in office commencing July 2022.
Documentation reveals an extraordinary expenditure pattern, with 500 million pesos allegedly depleted within merely 11 days in December 2022. Official reports indicate these funds were primarily allocated for rental properties designated as ‘safety houses.’ Additionally, the Department of Education’s confidential allocation of 112.5 million pesos was reportedly transferred to Duterte’s security personnel by special disbursing officer Edward Fajarda.
The Commission on Audit has formally disallowed at least 73 million pesos from these expenditures, citing insufficient accountability measures. Investigators have identified numerous acknowledgment receipts issued to non-existent recipients, including one ‘Mary Grace Piattos’ who appears in no official government records.
Beyond financial irregularities, the impeachment articles reference Duterte’s alleged disrespect for congressional oversight authority and connection to extrajudicial killings during her tenure as Davao City mayor under her father’s presidency. Most explosively, the complaints cite documented claims that Duterte maintained readiness to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
The latest complaint, formally submitted by lawyer Nathaniel Cabrera with legislative endorsement, now awaits procedural inclusion in the plenary agenda by March 2nd. Philippines’ impeachment mechanisms require substantial political support to advance, often allowing officials with strong parliamentary alliances to avoid full trials despite serious allegations.