Vice President Sara Duterte said the impeachment complaints filed by Akbayan against her have no supporting evidence, rejecting the allegations and questioning the group’s credibility.
Duterte said the complaints surfaced after she left the Cabinet, a move she said was prompted by what she described as the country’s continuing economic struggles. She claimed lawmakers responded by pushing impeachment efforts against her.
The vice president also criticized the investigation conducted during the 19th Congress, describing it as an “investigation in aid of legislation” that she alleged was used as a fishing expedition to prepare a planned impeachment complaint. She said the inquiry was not intended to create legislation but to build a case against her.
Duterte maintained that no direct violation involving the use of confidential funds was presented despite multiple investigations. She said there was no clear evidence showing misuse of such funds.
She also alleged that there had been a buying of signatures in the House of Representatives to support the impeachment complaint. According to Duterte, some lawmakers had confirmed the existence of such efforts.
The vice president further said Akbayan lacked credibility to submit or endorse an impeachment complaint. She also referred to a past statement by Sen. Risa Hontiveros regarding her interest in running for president, suggesting political motives behind the actions against her.
Duterte concluded that the group behind the complaints had no clear basis for the impeachment and described the moves as repeated actions driven by political motives.
