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VP Sara Slams 'Fishing Expedition' In Impeachment Push
Photo credit: Inday Sara Duterte
Vice President Sara Duterte on Friday pushed back against renewed moves in the House of Representatives to gather more documents tied to the impeachment complaints filed against her, insisting that the latest development only proves her claim that there is no solid evidence to support the case.
In a statement released March 13, Duterte was reacting to reports that Rep. Chel Diokno had submitted a letter to the House Committee on Justice requesting the issuance of subpoenas to obtain additional records related to the impeachment complaints.
For the vice president, the move raises questions about the strength of the allegations.
According to Duterte, a finding of sufficiency in substance by the committee should already mean that the accusations in the impeachment complaints are backed by evidence. She argued that the panel cannot launch an investigation simply to look for proof that has not been presented.
“The Committee cannot conduct an investigation to search for evidence to support accusations already made,” she said, warning that doing so would amount to yet another fishing expedition by the House of Representatives.
Duterte pointed to what she described as earlier attempts to find evidence against her. She cited the 2024 budget hearing, which she said became controversial after the line “Let’s stick to our plan” gained attention. She also referenced the hearings conducted by the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, recalling what critics dubbed the “Mary Grace Piattos” attack.
Now, she said, the subpoena request appears to be another attempt to uncover evidence that she believes does not exist.
For Duterte, the impeachment effort is not about accountability but politics.
She claimed the complaints were filed to shield certain individuals and advance both personal and foreign interests. Without naming them directly, she accused some officials of wrongdoing, including one who is allegedly dealing with substance abuse, another congressman she described as the supposed mastermind behind flood control funds and cash payoffs, and a lawmaker who she said is already positioning for a presidential bid.
The vice president also criticized what she described as the treatment being given to a man she identified as Madriaga, whom she accused of fabricating a story despite allegedly being involved in a kidnapping case. She said granting the individual special treatment in Congress would be an insult to the minor victim involved in the case.
Duterte ended her statement by expressing concern that while global communities are dealing with economic shocks and geopolitical tensions affecting energy and commodities, the country’s political leadership remains focused on what she called a campaign against her.
She said the situation ultimately harms ordinary Filipinos, including overseas workers and poor families who could face worsening economic hardship.
In a statement released March 13, Duterte was reacting to reports that Rep. Chel Diokno had submitted a letter to the House Committee on Justice requesting the issuance of subpoenas to obtain additional records related to the impeachment complaints.
For the vice president, the move raises questions about the strength of the allegations.
According to Duterte, a finding of sufficiency in substance by the committee should already mean that the accusations in the impeachment complaints are backed by evidence. She argued that the panel cannot launch an investigation simply to look for proof that has not been presented.
“The Committee cannot conduct an investigation to search for evidence to support accusations already made,” she said, warning that doing so would amount to yet another fishing expedition by the House of Representatives.
Duterte pointed to what she described as earlier attempts to find evidence against her. She cited the 2024 budget hearing, which she said became controversial after the line “Let’s stick to our plan” gained attention. She also referenced the hearings conducted by the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, recalling what critics dubbed the “Mary Grace Piattos” attack.
Now, she said, the subpoena request appears to be another attempt to uncover evidence that she believes does not exist.
For Duterte, the impeachment effort is not about accountability but politics.
She claimed the complaints were filed to shield certain individuals and advance both personal and foreign interests. Without naming them directly, she accused some officials of wrongdoing, including one who is allegedly dealing with substance abuse, another congressman she described as the supposed mastermind behind flood control funds and cash payoffs, and a lawmaker who she said is already positioning for a presidential bid.
The vice president also criticized what she described as the treatment being given to a man she identified as Madriaga, whom she accused of fabricating a story despite allegedly being involved in a kidnapping case. She said granting the individual special treatment in Congress would be an insult to the minor victim involved in the case.
Duterte ended her statement by expressing concern that while global communities are dealing with economic shocks and geopolitical tensions affecting energy and commodities, the country’s political leadership remains focused on what she called a campaign against her.
She said the situation ultimately harms ordinary Filipinos, including overseas workers and poor families who could face worsening economic hardship.
Mar 13, 2026
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