𝗖𝗲𝗻𝗣𝗘𝗚 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝗗𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗲

The think tank Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG) calls for the immediate, impartial and unequivocal pursuit of the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte. As an institution committed to democratic governance, transparency, and public accountability, we believe that the serious allegations raised against the Vice President merit full legislative inquiry and should not be swept aside for political convenience.

Among the grounds cited in the filed impeachment complaints are the alleged misuse of confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs) during her tenure as Secretary of the Department of Education, as well as potential violations of constitutional provisions concerning the ethical conduct of public officials. These involve substantial questions of public trust, fiscal propriety, and adherence to the principles of civilian supremacy and checks and balances.

The impeachment process is a constitutional mechanism designed to protect the people from abuses of power at the highest levels of government. It must not be treated as a mere political tool, nor should it be obstructed by alliances or partisan calculations. Any attempt to trivialize or derail this process sends a dangerous signal—that high-ranking officials can act with impunity, shielded by power rather than held accountable by the rule of law.

CenPEG stresses that no public official is above accountability. Public office is a public trust. If there is clear evidence that Vice President Duterte committed acts that constitute betrayal of that trust, then due process demands that she be made to answer before the proper forums.

We call on SP Escudero to refrain from derailing the impeachment process.

We also urge the House of Representatives and the Senate to approach the impeachment proceedings with utmost integrity and independence. The Filipino people deserve nothing less than a government that operates with transparency, responsibility, and genuine concern for the welfare of all—especially the most vulnerable.

Let the truth be established, and let justice prevail—not for political expediency, but for the sake of democratic governance and the future of our nation.

𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 (𝗖𝗲𝗻𝗣𝗘𝗚)

9 June 2025

Signed:

Roland Simbulan 

Chairperson

Bobby Tuazon

Vice Chairperson

Maragtas SV Amante , PhD

Fellow and Secretary

Susana Balingit , MD

Fellow and Treasurer

Natalie Pulvinar

Executve Director and Board Member

Ev-ita Jimenez- Tuazon

Board Member and Fellow

Felix Muga II , PhD

Board Member and Fellow

Georgina Encanto , PhD

Board Member and Fellow

Emmanuel Leyco

Board Member and Fellow

Carl Marc Ramota 

Board Member and Fellow

Sonny Africa 

Fellow

Jayson Lamchek, PhD

Fellow

Amirah Ali Lidasan

Fellow

Fidel dela Torre

Administrative Officer

Samantha David

Researcher

Decaterina Candelaria

Researcher