20/10/2026
NARROWING THE CASE IS CONSISTENT WITH JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Statement of impeachment complainants and social movements on the dropping of three charges vs. Vice President Sara Duterte
We, the complainants in the First and Third Impeachment Complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte, together with various social movements and anti-corruption advocates, reaffirm our faith in and support for the House prosecution team. We view its decision to drop three of the four impeachment articles as a strategic move to focus on the evidence and bring the proceedings to a timely resolution. This is neither an abandonment of accountability nor an erasure of the allegations. Neither does it foreclose the pursuit of justice through other lawful processes.
In fact, two of the dropped charges are already being pursued through other legal avenues. Several signatories to this statement have already filed a plunder complaint before the Ombudsman against the Vice President over the alleged misuse of her multi-million-peso confidential funds. Meanwhile, the grave threats case is being heard before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court. Justice does not begin and end with the impeachment proceedings.
We reject the drama of Saraโs lawyers that the dropping of the three articles constitutes a denial of due process. The defense was offered the opportunity to alternate its presentation of evidence with the prosecution for each article but rejected the proposal. The House prosecution simply exercised its prerogative to narrow the case it intends to pursue, and the Senate impeachment court accepted that decision.
The irony is that the defenseโs repeated attempts to delay and prolong the trial are precisely why narrowing the case has become necessary. Their unusual and illogical outrage over the dropping of the three articles is telling. They are protesting a decision that leaves their own client with three-less charges to face. Their reaction exposed that what truly frustrates them is not a denial of due process, but the loss of an opportunity to further delay and prolong the trial.
The Filipino people deserve a timely resolution, not endless procedural wrangling that delays judgment. Due process is a right, not a license to delay accountability or frustrate the ends of justice.
We will remain vigilant throughout the impeachment proceedings and continue to hold all those involved accountable. We will see this process through and continue to pursue accountability through every lawful means available. The Filipino people deserve the truth, justice must prevail, and no one, regardless of position or political power, should be beyond accountability.
Signatories
Filers of the First Impeachment Complaint
โข Teresita Quintos Deles, former Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
โข Sylvia Estrada Claudio
โข Josua Mata, Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO)
โข Eugene Louie Gonzalez
โข Ma. Yvonne C. Jereza
โข Leah Navarro
โข Fr. Flavie L. Villanueva, SVD
โข Former Rep. Teodoro โTeddyโ Brawner Baguilat Jr.
โข Fr. Robert Reyes, Convenor of the Clergy for Good Governance
โข Rowena Amon
โข Matthew Silverio, Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP)
โข Alicia Murphy
โข Randy Delos Santos
Filers of the Third Impeachment Complaint
โข Pinky L. Tam
โข Sr. Geraldine Denoga, DC
โข Fr. Joel Saballa
โข Fr. Joselito Sarabia, CM
โข Sr. Ma. Lisa Ruedas, DC
โข Fr. Edilberto Baculi, CM
โข Pastor Leonrad Arevalo
โข Fr. Rogelio dela Rosario
โข Sr. Violeta Cecilio, DC
โข Maria Loreto Lopez
โข Atty Democrito C. Barcenas
โข Atty Lourdes U. Barcenas
โข Atty. Dino S. de Leon, counsel for the Third Impeachment Complaint
Anti-Corruption Advocates and Social Movement Leaders
โข Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio (ret.)
โข Professor Jean Franco, University of the Philippines Diliman
โข Cielo Magno
โข Rear Admiral Rommel Jude Ong (ret.)
โข Former Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Diwa Gunigundo
โข Analyn Borbe
โข Mardi Mapa-Suplido
โข EveryWoman
โข Khylla Meneses, Chairperson, Akbayan Youth
โข Volt Bohol, August Twenty One Movement (ATOM)
โข Professor Victor Manhit
โข Boni Macaranas
โข Roy Calfoforo, PANDAYAN
โข Atty. Jose Sonny G. Matula, NAGKAISA! Labor Coalition
โข Renato Magtubo, Partido Manggagawa
โข Sr. Dian Perey, DC
โข Sr. Gertie dela Cruz, DC
โข Sr. Shirley Ann Tingson, DC
โข Paz Vicente, Director of Cebu Bohol Relief and Rehabilitation Center
โข Agnes Alonsozona, Faculty of De La Salle Green Hills
โข Fr. Albert Alejo
โข Socorro Reyes
โข Sr. Josie Onag, DC, Visitatrix โ Daughters of Charity
โข Sr. Purita Espaldon, DC
โข Sr. Mary Lou Espora, DC
โข Sr. Ramonita Meris, DC
โข Sr. Mary Ann Guevarra, DC
โข Sr. Martha A. Gamolo, DC
โข Sr. Cletha Baay, CB
โข Sr. Danica Abellanosa, DC
โข Sr. Marissa Dela Torre, DC
โข Sr. Jeny Beth Estoya, DC
โข Sr. Arlewis Joy Lucas, DC
โข Sr. Efleda Ferriols, DC
โข Sr. Mercedes Disu, DC
โข Sr. Virginia Mozo, MSSC
โข Rowena Cartaรฑo
โข Philip Marcelino
โข Aljon Merciales
โข Juliet Dela Cruz
โข Sr. Elnora Perez, RA
โข Sr. Josefina Magat, RA
โข Sr. StellaMaria Sanz, RA
โข Sr. Leticia Andan, RA
โข Sr. Susan Esmile, SFIC
โข Sr. Virginia Abon, SFIC
โข Sr. Angelita Esguerra, SFIC
โข Sr. Anne Cayabyab, SFIC
โข Gerwin Ferreras
โข Ronald Beredico
โข Sylvia Pimentel Yuzon
โข Rodrigo Raz
โข Wilfredo G. Villanueva
โข Renรฉe Q. Villanueva
โข Delia Yap
โข Florencia Babaran
โข Lorrie Ann Gutierrez
โข Glenn C. Reyes
โข Mirali Durr, Beatus Network Circle
โข Atty. Howard Calleja
โข Filomena Cinco
โข Martin Racza
โข Bien Gonzales
โข Alberto A. Lim
โข Faye Daguman
โข Jeriel Francia - Secretary General, Partido Manggagawa Kabataan