Marilyn Cahatol

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA<strong> (UPDATED) </strong>— Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte on Sunday warned colleagues at the House of Representatives against supporting a potential impeachment complaint against his sister Vice President Sara Duterte, saying only a “few who control funds and influence” want her subjected to the constitutional process for accountability.</p><p>The Philippines is a representative democracy, where officials are elected to act on behalf of the electorate in consultation with their constituents.</p><p>“Bago pa man ihain ang anumang panibagong impeachment complaint ngayong February 2026, this is a call to my colleagues — huwag ninyong ipasa sa taumbayan ang isang desisyong matagal nang niluto sa likod ng saradong pinto,” he said in a statement.</p><p>(Before a new impeachment complaint gets filed this February 2026, this is a call to my colleagues — do not use the public for a decision made behind close doors)</p><p>Rep. Duterte said an impeachment complaint should reflect the voices of lawmakers&#x27; constituents, not of a “few who control funds and influence.”</p><p>He underscored that the decision to impeach should not be about politics and patronage)</p><p>“This is about accountability. Ug kung dili ninyo kayang mutubag sa katawhan ug mutindog sa kamatuoran, ayaw ninyo gamita ang ngalan sa taumbayan aron tabunan ang inyong desisyon,” he said.</p><p>(And if you can&#x27;t answer to the people and stand up for the truth, don&#x27;t use the people&#x27;s name to cover up your decision.)</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;COMPLAINTS MUST BE BASED ON FACTS AND PROOF&#x27;</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Even sight unseen, Cavite 4th District Rep. Kiko Barzaga said he would not be endorsing any impeachment complaint even if he agrees that the vice president&#x27;s  &quot;usage of confidential funds must be investigated.&quot;</p><p>He said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.&#x27;s alleged use of public funds for her Duterte&#x27;s impeachment &quot;is ultimately a far greater crime than anything VP Duterte is accused of.&quot;</p><p>Marcos Jr. had distanced himself from Duterte&#x27;s 2025 impeachment, saying it was a matter for Congress. His allies in the House majority eventually did impeach her.</p><p>Amid talk that the president might himself facing an impeachment complaint, Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong of the House majority said “any impeachment complaint must be supported by clear facts and solid proof.&quot; </p><p>He added: &quot;Impeachment is a serious constitutional process. It cannot be based on rumors, speculation, or political talk.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>PREVIOUS IMPEACHMENT PROCEEDINGS FOUND UNCONSTITUTIONAL</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The House of Representatives <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/2/5/house-impeaches-vp-sara-duterte-1551">impeached </a>Vice President Duterte in February 2025 through a fourth complaint over her alleged misuse of confidential funds and alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos, First Lady Liza Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.</p><p>The fourth complaint, signed by 215 of the 306 House members, was transmitted to the Senate, but was later declared <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/25/supreme-court-duterte-impeachment-articles-unconstitutional-1601">unconstitutional </a>by the Supreme Court for “violating” Section 3 (5), Article XI of the 1987 Constitution, which states only one impeachment proceeding may be initiated against the same official within a year.</p><p>The Supreme Court&#x27;s resolution of a motion for reconsideration the House filed on its decision is still pending.</p><p>“Kung kinakailangan, handa tayong mag-endorso muli pero hindi dapat nating pangunahan ang Supreme Court,” <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKW5_7oCCr4">ACT Teachers Party-List Rep. Antonio Tinio</a> of the Makabayan bloc said this week.</p><p>(If needed, we are ready to endorse again but we should not preempt the Supreme Court)</p><p>Talk of a fresh impeachment complaint has surfaced as the one-year ban lapses next month. That complaint may include new allegations raised by Ramil Madriaga, who claims to have been her bagman and alleges that her 2022 election campaign was financed by Philippine offshore gaming operators and drug lords. </p><p>House Committee on Public Accounts Chair Terry Ridon of Bicol Saro party-list said a <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/10/ridon-madriaga-s-claims-vs-sara-duterte-must-be-vetted-1645Sara Duterte visited Madriaga twice with offer to talk to judge, lawyer says">formal House probe</a> is necessary to verify the allegations.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>PALACE: MARCOS JR. WILL NOT INTERVENE</strong></div><p>The Palace said Saturday that Marcos Jr. will let any potential complaint run its course.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/10/marcos-jr-to-treat-any-impeachment-bid-vs-duterte-just-like-flood-control-probe-castro-1703">Marcos Jr. to treat any impeachment bid vs. Duterte just like flood control probe – Castro<br/></a></div><p>“Hindi po magla-lobby ang pangulo dito. Hahayaan po nilang gumulong kung ano ang dapat na proseso at kung anong kasasapitan po nito na naaayon sa batas at proseso, susuportahan po ‘yun ng pangulo,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.</p><p>(The president will not lobby on this. He will let whatever process go on and will support whatever the outcome is)</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S4-HPk6shAk?si=rjx32N9IEz4yEY6l" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte on Sunday warned colleagues at the House of Representatives against supporting a potential impeachment complaint against his sister Vice President Sara Duterte.</p>

Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte on Sunday warned colleagues at the House of Representatives against supporting a potential impeachment complaint against his sister Vice President Sara Duterte.

Rep. Duterte warns colleagues vs supporting potential VP Sara impeachment bid

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Rep. Duterte warns colleagues vs supporting potential VP Sara impeachment bid

Marilyn Cahatol,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 11, 2026 11:54 AM PHT

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Updated January 11, 2026 02:12 PM PHT

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Sara Duterte

Paolo Duterte

impeachment

House of Representatives

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