Vice President Sara Duterte made a bold statement during a press briefing on Wednesday, saying, “I really believe that we have reached the point of no return.” She was talking about her relationship with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., her running mate in the 2022 elections. Things between them seem to have taken a serious turn for the worse.
Accusations and Charges Filed Against Duterte
Duterte claimed in both English and Filipino, “It is clear that they are really going after me, and they really want to remove me from office.” This statement came just as serious legal troubles began to pile up. A police doctor from Quezon City filed charges against Duterte and her security team. The charges? Direct assault, disobedience, and grave coercion.
These accusations stem from an incident where Duterte’s team reportedly stopped the police from transferring her chief of staff to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center. There is even video evidence showing Duterte and her security chief, Col. Raymond Dante Lachica, pushing a police officer, Lt. Col. Jason Villamor.
Military Protection Withdrawn
In another blow, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) decided to withdraw all 355 soldiers assigned to protect the vice president. AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner announced that these soldiers were being sent back to barracks for an investigation into Duterte’s use of confidential funds. For now, new security teams from the military and police will replace them.
Impeachment Talks Heat Up
Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV also joined the conversation, suggesting Duterte should be impeached. He pointed to a shocking claim Duterte made: If a supposed plot to kill her ever succeeded, she allegedly instructed someone to “kill President Marcos, First Lady Liza Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez.” Although Duterte later denied issuing death threats, critics like Trillanes believe such comments are unacceptable for someone in her position.
He said, “She could become president anytime in an emergency. If you give that person presidential power, every Filipino should be terrified.”
House of Representatives Prepares for Impeachment Filing
Rep. France Castro of the ACT Teachers party-list revealed that the Makabayan bloc in the House would support an impeachment complaint. Under the law, impeachment complaints need endorsement from a House member and must get at least one-third of votes from the House to proceed.
Duterte, in her press conference, admitted, “If I get impeached, then that is my end.”
Disbarment Complaint Filed Against Duterte
Adding to her troubles, Larry Gadon, Presidential Adviser on Poverty Alleviation, submitted a formal complaint asking the Supreme Court to disbar Duterte. Gadon argued that the Court should act on its own to disbar her, just as it had done with him in the past.
Other Leaders Weigh In
Several political leaders have shared their thoughts:
- Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III reminded everyone that civilian authority should always rule over the military. This came after former President Rodrigo Duterte, Sara’s father, hinted at military intervention to oust Marcos.
- Former Senator Panfilo Lacson called on business leaders in Mindanao to help calm tensions, suggesting everyone work together instead of fueling political fights.
This situation is far from over, with legal battles, impeachment talks, and leadership struggles all playing out on the national stage.
