Vice President Sara Duterte has rejected the impeachment complaint endorsed by Akbayan Party-list, branding it baseless and politically driven.
In a video statement, Duterte said: “Ang impeachment complaint na inendorso ng Akbayan ay isang papel na walang kalakip na kahit anong ebidensiyang magpapatunay sa mga paratang na isinasaad dito.”
Two complaints were filed against her—one by the Makabayan bloc and another backed by Akbayan Party-list Representative Perci Cendaña and Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Representative Leila de Lima.
Duterte, however, focused her criticism on Akbayan, which topped the party-list vote in the 2025 midterm elections.
She questioned the group’s credibility, accusing it of exploiting the impeachment process for political gain ahead of 2028.
“Mga kababayan, walang kredibilidad ang Akbayan upang mag-endorso o magsumite ng impeachment complaint,” she declared.
Duterte also aired a clip of Akbayan chair emeritus Risa Hontiveros, who in 2024 warned of the “threat of a full-blown Duterte comeback.” Duterte claimed this revealed the group’s “true motive.”
While she did not detail legal flaws in the complaint, Duterte insisted it amounted to harassment.
“Kaya malinaw na lahat ng ito ay isang uri ng harassment at pang-aabuso sa proseso ng impeachment ng grupong Akbayan,” she said.
Both complaints, alleging graft, constitutional violations, and betrayal of public trust, have been transmitted to House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III for consideration.