The Power of Accountability: Should Sara Duterte Be Impeached?

No matter how her allies try to defend her, Vice President Sara Duterte is facing serious challenges. At least four impeachment complaints have been filed against her in the House of Representatives. These complaints accuse her of misusing public funds, abusing her power, and failing to uphold her responsibilities as Vice President. These allegations could significantly impact her political future.

According to the 1987 Constitution, impeachment starts in the House of Representatives. If the House finds enough evidence and votes to impeach her, the case moves to the Senate. The Senate will then act as an impeachment court, holding a trial to determine whether she is guilty. If the Senate convicts her, Duterte will lose her position as Vice President.

The outcome of this process will not only decide Duterte’s fate but also send a strong message about accountability and justice in the country’s political system.

After numerous accusations and violations of the law, Sara Duterte must be held accountable for her actions, especially for abusing her power. One example is her public dispute with President Bongbong Marcos, which she chose to showcase online. This is not the kind of behavior that should be set as an example for Filipinos. Instead of maintaining professionalism, it paints a poor image for the public when leaders air their conflicts on social media.

Additionally, Vice President Sara Duterte's claim that she hired assassins to kill the president and his close allies in case of her death raises serious concerns. These statements are deeply troubling, especially considering her involvement in the controversy surrounding the misuse of confidential funds, which she allegedly misappropriated.

Sara Duterte's actions call into question her judgement and her commitment to upholding the law and setting a positive example for the nation.

Following the filing of multiple impeachment complaints, Vice President Sara Duterte announced that her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, would be one of her legal defenders. She shared her perspective on the matter, saying, "So, okay din 'yung impeachment case dahil ako lang ang tinitira doon, ako lang iniimbestigahan noon. Ako lang ang inaatake ng impeachment case. Hindi na kasali ang mga kasama ko sa OVP at mga dati kong kasama sa DepEd. Masagot na ng final kung ano 'yung mga inaakusa nila sa akin."

Vice President Sara Duterte may see the impeachment complaints as personal attacks, but the issues raised go beyond just personal conflicts. The complaints focus on her leadership and accusations of misusing her power. These calls for impeachment are not simply the result of political rivalry; they reflect genuine concerns about how she has performed in her role as Vice President.

One of the most debated issues involves her self-authored book, which reportedly cost the government an enormous 10 million pesos to print. This expense, paid for using taxpayer money, has sparked anger, especially in light of the country’s economic struggles. Children’s publishers have called the price "excessive" and questioned whether it was right to use public funds for a book by a government official. Many people feel that such a large amount of money could have been better spent on important needs like education, healthcare, or poverty reduction, rather than a personal project.

The controversy over the book, combined with other accusations of misuse of power and poor management, has led to stronger calls for Vice President Duterte to be held accountable for her actions. While she may feel that she is being unfairly targeted, these issues are part of a larger pattern that has caused widespread concern among the public. For many, impeachment isn’t just about one individual—it’s about making sure that all public officials are held to the highest standards of honesty, fairness, and responsibility.

The impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte highlight serious concerns about her actions in office, including accusations of misusing public funds and abusing her power. As the impeachment process moves forward, it will not only decide her future but also show whether the political system can hold leaders accountable. This will remind the public that all government officials, no matter their position, must be held to high standards of honesty and responsibility to ensure trust in the government.