Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday disputed the impeachment complaint endorsed by Akbayan, saying it lacks factual basis and is politically motivated.

In a statement dated February 7, Duterte said the complaint contains allegations unsupported by evidence, particularly on issues related to the use of confidential funds.

“Ang impeachment complaint na inendorso ng Akbayan ay isang papel na walang kalakip na kahit anong ebidensiyang magpapatunay sa mga paratang na isinasaad dito,” the statement said.

She said previous investigations, including a congressional inquiry during the 19th Congress, failed to establish any direct violation.

Duterte said impeachment efforts against her began after her resignation from the Cabinet, which she described as politically driven. She also alleged that the earlier House inquiry was conducted not to craft legislation but to search for grounds to support a planned impeachment complaint.

The Vice President further claimed that some lawmakers were offered inducements, including promised government projects, to secure signatures for the impeachment complaint. She said some members of Congress had publicly acknowledged such claims.

Duterte questioned Akbayan’s credibility to endorse or file an impeachment complaint, citing what she described as the group’s political interests. She pointed to public statements by Akbayan leaders expressing plans to seek higher office as evidence of partisan motivation.

“Walang kredibilidad ang Akbayan upang mag-endorso o magsumite ng impeachment complaint.”

“Ilang ulit nang hayagang ipinahayag ng kanilang pinuno ang kanyang intensiyong tumakbo sa pagkapangulo—isang malinaw na indikasyon ng pampulitikang motibo sa likod ng kanilang mga hakbang.”

She also referred to a speech delivered in August 2024 by Senator Risa Hontiveros, in which the senator warned against the possibility of a Duterte political comeback, saying this reflected Akbayan’s stance toward her continued stay in office.

Duterte said the filing of the impeachment complaint constituted harassment and an abuse of the constitutional impeachment process. She maintained that impeachment should be used strictly as a mechanism for accountability, not as a political tool.

The Vice President ended her statement by saying that misuse of the impeachment process ultimately harms the Filipino people.