A fourth impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte was formally filed on Wednesday before the Office of the House Secretary General, adding to the growing political pressure surrounding the country’s second-highest official. The complaint was submitted in February alone, marking an unusually rapid succession of impeachment filings against a sitting vice president.
The latest complaint was initiated by lawyer Nathaniel Cabrera, who personally went to the office of House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil to lodge the petition before the House of Representatives. According to sources familiar with the filing, the complaint was endorsed by Manila 6th District Representative Bienvenido Abante Jr. and House Deputy Speaker and La Union 1st District Representative Paolo Ortega V.
The impeachment complaint outlines a series of serious allegations against Vice President Duterte. These include alleged threats made against ranking government officials, among them President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the purported misuse of confidential funds, failure to properly declare assets, abuse of power, and alleged bribery of officials. Cabrera’s petition argues that these actions constitute violations of the Constitution and betray public trust, warranting impeachment proceedings.
With this latest filing, Vice President Duterte now faces four impeachment complaints submitted within a single month. Political analysts note that while multiple impeachment complaints do not automatically translate into a full-blown trial, they signal intensifying scrutiny from both lawmakers and the public. Each complaint must still undergo evaluation and consolidation in the House before any potential transmission to the Senate for trial.
The timing of the fourth complaint has also drawn attention. It was filed only hours after Vice President Duterte publicly declared her intention to run for president in the 2028 national elections. Following her announcement, reactions from the public were mixed. Some supporters welcomed her declaration as a sign of continuity and strong leadership, while critics questioned her readiness to seek higher office amid unresolved allegations.
As the House reviews the growing number of impeachment complaints, the political climate is expected to remain highly charged. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether these filings gain enough traction to move forward, potentially reshaping the country’s political landscape well ahead of the 2028 elections.