Defiant VP Duterte lashes at lawmakers; dismisses impeachment complaints as ‘recycled’

A defiant Vice President Sara Duterte lashed back at the Philippine House of Representatives (HOR), filing on Monday a reply to the Committee on Justice (COJ) and dismissing the impeachment complaints against her as “rehash.”

In an ad cautelam response to the committee, Duterte said the complaints — declared as sufficient in form and substance 10 days ago — are “no different from the 2025 articles of impeachment” filed against her.

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An ad cautelam (Latin, meaning “with caution”) is a procedural manoeuvre that, while responding, refuses to acknowledge the recipient’s jurisdiction. It is referred to in legal circles as a “just in case” measure.

Duterte pointed out that last year’s complaints were declared void by the Philippine Senate and Supreme Court and "must be dismissed.”

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“The Impeachment Complaints recycle the same accusations against [me] as those contained in the nullified Fourth Impeachment Complaint filed by the 19th HOR, including conjectures, speculations, and conclusions of facts and law, which do not constitute ultimate facts,” her response reads.

Duterte said she objects to the proceedings that seek her removal from position and possible disqualification from any government office, adding she reserves the right to exhaust legal remedies against them.

Duterte’s supporters, meanwhile, maintain the impeachment complaints are attempts to disqualify her from a possible presidential candidacy in 2028. The vice president in February announced seeking the Philippines’ highest elective office in the next national elections.

'Confused interpretation'

A COJ member, however, said the vice president’s reply failed to squarely address the allegations contained in the two impeachment complaints approved by the committee.

“Instead of responding directly to the charges, it attempts to challenge the impeachment proceedings itself based on a confused interpretation of due process and the concept of ultimate facts in impeachment cases,” Rep. Terry Ridon told Khaleej Times.

Ridon, a member of the HOR’s majority bloc, denied Duterte was deprived of due process and is, in fact, afforded every opportunity, as proven by her ad cautelam reply.

The lawmaker said it is likewise incorrect for Duterte to claim that the impeachment complaints against her failed to state ultimate facts.

The complaints clearly established ultimate facts on the vice president’s alleged misuse of public funds, issuance of death threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and family, and her unexplained wealth, Ridon said.

“These allegations go to the very heart of public accountability and constitutional responsibility,” Ridon, who is also a lawyer, said.

What's next

Duterte’s reply, if dismissed by the COJ, will pave the way for an HOR plenary debate on whether Duterte would be impeached for the second straight year.

Following leadership changes in the Philippine Senate last year, it is expected that Duterte would face a full impeachment trial later this year