Civil society members and complainants in the four consolidated impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte are preparing to have the case “refiled and augmented” once the one-year ban lapses next month, a militant lawmaker said.
“The decision will be made by the complainants, there are many of them from civil society. We will be ready to endorse it. Most likely it will be refiled and augmented by the new information that has come to light,” ACT Teachers Partylist Representative Antonio Tinio said on Thursday, January 1, referring to whistleblower Ramil Lagunoy Madriaga, a detainee at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.
In a sworn affidavit, Madriaga claimed he served as Duterte’s “bagman” and that campaign funds used in the May 2022 presidential elections were sourced from drug lords and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) operators from China.
“They’re already talking among themselves and preparing for that eventuality,” Tinio said, noting there is still time as President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is past the middle of his term.
“There (are) still two whole years. So there’s always time. There’s still time if they want. We will decide to file another impeachment complaint at the proper time,” he added, emphasizing that the Supreme Court ruling prohibiting the case has not yet reached finality.
“The appeal is still with the SC. We don’t know if we can proceed to trial. Who knows the SC will come out with the decision (on the motion for reconsideration) before February 2026?” Tinio asked.
He also acknowledged that the period after 2026 will coincide with an unofficial campaign period and the approach of the President’s “lame duck” phase.
Meanwhile, Mamamayang Liberal Partylist Representative Leila de Lima urged Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla to verify the allegations made by Duterte’s alleged bagman.