Vice President Sara Duterte has categorically ruled out resigning from office amid the ongoing impeachment proceedings against her and the allegations she continues to face.
Asked in an ambush interview whether resignation remained an option despite the latest developments surrounding her impeachment case, Duterte gave an emphatic response.
“No, no, no. We'll not resign,” she said.
“We'll never resign from the office of the Vice President. We'll never resign from the office of the Vice President. I will never resign from the office of the Vice President,” she added.
Her remarks came as the Senate impeachment court continued proceedings on the allegations against her, including accusations of unexplained wealth, misuse of confidential funds, bribery, and grave threats.
On Tuesday, October 13, House lead prosecutor Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro submitted a manifestation informing the impeachment court that the prosecution would pursue only Article II, which concerns alleged unexplained wealth.
The panel said it would no longer pursue Article I, involving the alleged misuse of confidential funds; Article III, covering bribery allegations; and Article IV, concerning an alleged assassination plot and grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Luistro said the decision was intended to expedite the proceedings, adding that the prosecution believed the evidence and testimonies already presented were sufficient to support its remaining case.
However, Senate impeachment court Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero clarified that the prosecution's manifestation would be treated as a motion that still requires a ruling from the senator-judges.
Article II involves allegations of unexplained wealth, discrepancies in Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), and prohibited business interests involving Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio. The prosecution has presented financial records and testimony from forensic accounting expert Alexander Cabrera in support of its allegations.
Duterte has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and criticized the impeachment proceedings, which she has characterized as politically motivated.
Under the Philippine Constitution, the Senate has the exclusive power to try and decide impeachment cases. If convicted, an impeached official may be removed from office and disqualified from holding any office under the Republic, as provided by the Constitution.
