Fourth Impeachment Complaint Filed Against VP Sara Duterte Over SALN, Unexplained Wealth
Fourth Impeachment Complaint Filed Against VP Sara Duterte

Fourth Impeachment Complaint Filed Against VP Sara Duterte Over SALN, Unexplained Wealth

A fourth verified impeachment complaint has been formally lodged in the House of Representatives against Vice President Sara Duterte, focusing on allegations of incomplete asset disclosures in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) and the potential accumulation of unexplained wealth disproportionate to her lawful income.

Complaint Details and Key Allegations

The complaint was filed by Atty. Nathaniel Cabrera and endorsed by House Committee on Human Rights chair Bienvenido "Benny" Abante Jr. of Manila and Deputy Speaker Francisco Paolo Ortega V. It was officially received by House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil at 6:34 p.m. on Wednesday. The document accuses Duterte of culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, bribery, and other high crimes.

Central to the new filing are claims that certain assets, bank accounts, cash holdings, and property transactions were either omitted, understated, or not fully reflected in her SALNs. The complaint argues that the Constitution mandates full transparency from high public officials and that any material nondisclosure or accumulation of wealth manifestly disproportionate to legitimate income constitutes an impeachable offense.

Financial Irregularities and Confidential Fund Disbursements

The unexplained wealth allegations are linked to broader claims of irregular confidential fund disbursements totaling at least PHP612.5 million from December 2022 to the third quarter of 2023, covering both the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd). Specific points include:

  • The rapid encashment of PHP125 million in December 2022, allegedly liquidated within 11 days.
  • Subsequent findings by the Commission on Audit (COA) flagging irregularities, with notices of suspension and disallowance covering PHP73.287 million in questioned expenditures.
  • Allegedly fabricated or defective receipts, unverifiable payees, duplicated entries, and sworn affidavits describing the transport of large sums of cash in duffel bags.

The complainant is seeking a forensic review of bank records, property transfers, and related financial documents to determine whether public funds were converted into private assets and whether her declared net worth accurately reflects her true financial position.

Additional Accusations and Supporting Evidence

Beyond the financial allegations, the complaint reiterates earlier accusations that Duterte publicly admitted to having "asked a person" to kill President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez. This act is described in the complaint as a subversion of constitutional order.

The allegations are supported by various documents and statements, including:

  1. Sworn affidavits and witness statements, such as that of Duterte's alleged bagman Ramil Madriaga.
  2. Official liquidation and accomplishment reports from the OVP and DepEd.
  3. COA audit memoranda and notices of disallowance.
  4. Philippine Statistics Authority certifications on purported payees.
  5. Congressional hearing transcripts and public statements of the respondent.
  6. Joint Circular No. 2015-01 governing confidential and intelligence funds.

Investigation and Constitutional Implications

The complainant has urged the House Committee on Justice to conduct a full investigation, issue subpoenas for financial and audit records, and, if warranted, transmit Articles of Impeachment to the Senate for trial. This filing marks the fourth impeachment case against Duterte, following three earlier complaints that also raised issues over her public statements, alleged misuse of confidential funds, and refusal to fully cooperate with congressional oversight.

With four impeachment complaints now pending, the House must determine whether the allegations, particularly those involving SALN disclosures and unexplained wealth, meet the constitutional threshold for impeachment under Article XI of the 1987 Constitution. Under the Constitution, the Vice President may be removed from office for culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust.