Vice President Sara Duterte’s declaration that she will run for president in the 2028 elections has intensified calls for her to confront impeachment complaints filed against her.
Akbayan Party-list Representative Perci Cendaña said Duterte should no longer attempt to evade the proceedings and must directly answer the allegations.
“Kasi kung makikita natin yung pattern of behavior ng ating Vice President ay laging to evade accountability. So itong April 14, ito yung kanilang matagal ng gustong pigilan, yung magkalabasan ng ebidensya,” Cendaña said in an interview.
The House Committee on Justice is set to hold a hearing on April 14, where subpoenaed documents — including Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), as well as financial and business records of her and her husband, Mans Carpio — are expected to be presented. These will serve as basis for determining probable cause in the impeachment complaints.
“Sa totoo lang sa kanyang pag-a-announce ng kanyang bid for the presidency, wala siyang choice. Kailangan niyang humarap sa accountability na sinasabi niya… at iwasan na niya yung kanyang laging pagtakbo sa Supreme Court para pigilan ang prosesong ito,” Cendaña added.
“Walang karapatan ang isang tao na gusto maging presidente ng Pilipinas na laging tumatakas sa pananagutan.”
Duterte’s camp earlier denied involvement in a petition filed by a group of lawyers allied with her, questioning the legality of the impeachment proceedings before the Supreme Court.
The Justice Committee had previously invited Duterte to its March 25 hearing, but she did not attend.