Vice President Sara Duterte criticized a subpoena request reportedly filed by Rep. Chel Diokno before the House Committee on Justice, saying it shows the impeachment complaints against her lack sufficient evidence.
Media outlets recently reported about a letter submitted by Diokno seeking the issuance of subpoenas to obtain additional documents and records related to the impeachment complaints against the vice president.
Duterte said the request only reinforces her earlier statements that there is no sufficient evidence to justify an impeachment case against her.
According to the vice president, a finding of sufficiency in substance by the House Committee on Justice presupposes that the allegations contained in the complaints are already supported by evidence.
She argued that the committee cannot conduct an investigation simply to search for evidence to support accusations already made in the impeachment complaints.
Duterte said doing so would amount to a third “fishing expedition” by the House of Representatives.
She cited earlier instances that she said were similar political actions against her. The first, she said, was the 2024 budget hearing remembered for the line “Let’s stick to our plan.”
The second involved hearings conducted by the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, which she said became known for the so-called “Mary Grace Piattos” issue.
Duterte described the current impeachment move as a political attack designed to protect certain individuals and advance what she called personal and foreign interests.
She also criticized what she described as special treatment being extended to a person identified as “Madriaga,” whom she alleged was an alleged kidnapper who fabricated a story.
Duterte added that while communities worldwide are dealing with energy and economic shocks, Philippine leaders remain focused on political conflicts.
She said the situation is an insult to overseas Filipino workers and poor Filipino families facing economic hardship.
