Malacañang says VP Sara Duterte's impeachment is independent

Malacañang stated on Tuesday that the Office of the President has no involvement with the impeachment complaint filed against Vice President Sara Duterte by civil society leaders.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin emphasized in a statement that the initiative to file the complaint is entirely independent and up to individual lawmakers to endorse, reiterating President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s previous discouragement of pursuing the impeachment.

Akbayan Party-list Rep. Percival Cendaña endorsed the 73-page impeachment document on Monday, citing grounds such as culpable violation of the constitution, graft and corruption, bribery, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes.

The complaint was filed by private individuals, including religious leaders, sectoral representatives, and families of drug war victims, who allege misuse of public funds from Duterte's positions at the Office of Vice President and the Department of Education.

VP Sara Duterte insisted on Tuesday that she is being politically harassed for being a 'threat' in the 2028 presidential elections as she faces an impeachment complaint and probes into alleged death threats against Marcos and her use of government funds.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had previously told Congress not to file an impeachment complaint against Duterte, stating that it would be counterproductive and waste time.