MANILA, Philippines — In a move to streamline the legal assault against the Vice President, civil society leaders and members of the clergy are set to formally withdraw the second impeachment complaint against Sara Duterte today, March 2, 2026.
The group Tindig Pilipinas, led by Kiko Aquino Dee, announced that they will now throw their “full support” behind the third impeachment complaint. The goal is to avoid “procedural limbo” and prevent legal delays that could stall the process in the House of Representatives.
- The Reason: Petitioners believe the third complaint is robust enough to cover all substantial evidence and allegations of corruption and abuse of power found in their original filing.
- The Objective: Speeding up the process so that the Senate can be convened as an impeachment court as soon as possible.
The consolidated complaints against the Vice President include serious allegations of:
- Misuse of Funds: Specifically related to ₱612.5 million in confidential funds within the OVP and the Department of Education.
- Betrayal of Public Trust: Citing her Nov. 23, 2024, public statement where she claimed to have hired an assassin to target President Marcos, the First Lady, and Speaker Martin Romualdez.
- Abuse of Power: Including allegations of tolerating extrajudicial killings and participating in government destabilization efforts.
Vice President Duterte has dismissed the proceedings as “politically motivated” and “scripted.” On February 18, 2026, she made headlines by officially announcing her plan to run for President in 2028.
- Counter-Claim: Duterte argues that the investigations are aimed solely at damaging her reputation ahead of the next national elections.
- Makabayan Bloc Response: Critics describe her early presidential bid as a “calculated distraction” meant to draw public attention away from the gravity of the impeachment charges.
With the second complaint now out of the way, all eyes are on the House Committee on Justice to determine if the remaining consolidated complaint is “sufficient in form and substance” to move forward.