LAWMAKERS said on Sunday the House of Representatives will continue to pursue Vice-President (VP) Sara Duterte-Carpio’s accountability over alleged misuse of secret funds, should the Supreme Court uphold its ruling voiding her impeachment.
Ms. Duterte has not been cleared of the allegations in the impeachment complaint that was struck down by the High Court as being unconstitutional, said Deputy Speaker La Union Rep. Francisco Paolo P. Ortega V.
“The Supreme Court decision delved on procedural issues but not on the alleged misuse of CIFs (confidential and intelligence funds),” he said in a statement. “The accountability part was not resolved, so we intend to continue asking her to account for those funds and answer for how they have been handled or mishandled.” The Office of the Vice-President did not immediately reply to an e-mail seeking comment.
The High Court earlier ruled that the impeachment of Ms. Duterte violated the constitutional ban on filing more than one impeachment complaint within a year and breached her right to due process but did not absolve the Vice-President of the charges.
A total of three complaints were hurled against Ms. Duterte in December last year. But she was only impeached in February after more than 200 congressmen signed a fourth complaint, allowing the chamber to immediately send the ouster changes to the Senate without any hearing.
The estranged Vice-President has been subjected to congressional probes into the alleged misuse of P612.5 million worth of CIF under Ms. Duterte’s office in 2022 and the Department of Education in 2023, which has been used by lawmakers as indictment for her impeachment.
Allegations against Ms. Duterte also include unexplained wealth, destabilization efforts and plotting to assassinate President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., his wife and Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez. She has denied all charges.
“The people should understand this: the entire 93-page [Supreme Court] ruling tackled the impeachment process and rules in the House,” Deputy Speaker and Zambales Rep. Jefferson F. Khonghun said in the same statement.
“In other words, the Vice-President is not yet off the hook on the use of this large amount of taxpayers’ money,” he added. “We will pursue accountability on her part wherever it takes us.”
Mr. Ortega said the House will explore possible next steps should the Supreme Court uphold its ruling that dismissed Ms. Duterte’s impeachment complaint and barred any new complaint against her until Feb. 6 next year.
“We will have to discuss after February 6, 2026 how to pursue accountability on the part of Vice-President Sara Duterte for her mishandling of P612.5 million in confidential funds in 2022 and 2023,” he said. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio
