The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) expresses its strong support for the filing of the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, marking the second consecutive year that she has been subjected to impeachment proceedings. This repetition underscores the gravity and persistence of the allegations surrounding her use of public office and public funds.

As one of the complainants, KMP Secretary General Ronnie Manalo emphasized that repeated impeachment attempts arise from unresolved and serious questions of accountability. “Kung dalawang taon nang may kaso ng impeachment, malinaw na may mabibigat na isyung hindi sinasagot, at walang katarungan,” Manalo said. Peasant women group Amihan Women and cultural organization SINAGBAYAN (Sining na Naglilingkod sa Bayan) are also among the impeachment complainants.

The Philippines continues to suffer from entrenched corruption. Ever since the expose of the massive flood control corruption, no ranking official was brought to justice. This reality makes it even more urgent to ensure that high-ranking officials engaged in corruption are fully castigated and removed from public office.

Central to the impeachment complaint are allegations involving the misuse of hundreds of millions of pesos in confidential funds, including allocations to the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, which were reportedly disbursed without sufficient transparency or documentation. These are issues that strike at the heart of public trust.

KMP stresses that accountability must not stop with Vice President Duterte alone. All individuals and offices involved those who approved, facilitated, or benefited from the misuse of funds must likewise be investigated and held liable, including President Bongbong Marcos. As Manalo stated, “Lahat ng sangkot at kurakot ay dapat managot.”

At a time when Filipino farmers are burdened by low farmgate prices, rising production costs, land grabbing and inadequate State support, the repeated and unresolved corruption scandals involving massive public funds is a grave injustice. “Habang naghihirap ang magsasaka, bilyon ang inuubos sa mga pondong hindi maipaliwanag,” KMP said.

The impeachment process, especially now that it has occurred for a second straight year, must be treated with the seriousness it deserves. Congress must rise above partisan interests and fulfill its constitutional duty to ensure transparency, accountability, and justice. The public must also remain vigilant in demanding answers.

Impeachment is not merely a political exercise—it is a mechanism for public accountability. The repeated filing of impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte sends a clear message: unresolved allegations will not simply disappear. No one is above the law, and all those involved must be held accountable. ###

Reference: KMP SecGen Ronnie Manalo