Duterte Receives Impeachment Summons Amid Malaysia Trip
Vice President Faces Scrutiny Over Multiple Allegations
Vice President Sara Duterte has been formally served with an impeachment summons while on a personal trip to Malaysia, escalating a political battle that could reshape the Philippine government. She now has ten days to respond to the charges.
Summons Delivered to OVP Headquarters
The Senate Sergeant-At-Arms, Roberto Ancan, delivered the writ of summons to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) in Mandaluyong City at 11:05 a.m. on Wednesday. Senate staff arrived at the OVP office at 10:43 a.m., carrying the documents and seeking a representative to accept them. Media access to the scene was restricted.
The OVP confirmed receipt of the summons. An OVP media relations officer stated that the defense team maintains the accusations are without merit and that the impeachment complaint suffers from constitutional flaws. “The accusations against the Vice President in the impeachment trial are baseless,”
the officer reiterated.
Impeachment Articles Detail Serious Accusations
The House of Representatives initially impeached Duterte on February 5, with over 200 lawmakers supporting the complaint. The seven articles of impeachment allege a range of offenses, including conspiracy to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife, and Speaker Martin Romualdez. Other charges involve the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds, bribery, unexplained wealth, and involvement in extrajudicial killings.
The articles also accuse Duterte of destabilizing the government through actions like boycotting the State of the Nation Address and allegedly inciting rallies against President Marcos Jr.
Senate Returns Complaint to House for Review
On Tuesday night, the Senate, acting as an impeachment court, voted 18-5 to return the articles of impeachment to the House of Representatives without dismissing them. This move sends the complaint back for further consideration.
According to a recent report by the Philippine Statistics Authority, public trust in government institutions has declined by 8% in the last year, highlighting a growing sense of dissatisfaction among citizens. Philippine Statistics Authority
Vice President Currently Abroad
Vice President Duterte is currently in Malaysia with her family on a personal trip. The timing of the summons delivery raises questions about her ability to immediately address the charges.
The situation remains fluid as the House of Representatives reviews the returned articles of impeachment. The outcome could have significant implications for the stability of the current administration and the future of Philippine politics.
