MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio on Monday accused lawmakers of reviving impeachment chatter as a pressure tactic tied to the upcoming 2026 national budget debates, warning that the pattern reveals how the constitutional mechanism is being “twisted into a budget-driven racket.”
Duterte-Carpio said she was told by legislators that as early as the start of 2024, efforts to gather signatures for her impeachment were allegedly linked to budget negotiations.
“Signatures for my impeachment were being courted in exchange for budget allocations,” she said in a statement sent to Panay News. “Their statements have unmasked the truth that the impeachment complaint against me was never really driven by principle but by price.”
She said new remarks from several House members indicated that the same tactic may be resurfacing as Congress prepares to scrutinize the 2026 national spending plan.
“This constitutional mechanism is being dangled once again as a bargaining chip right before the 2026 National Budget is passed,” she said. “To those who continue to exploit the impeachment process, stop hiding behind the language of ‘good governance.’”
While reiterating that she is ready to address accusations lodged against her, Duterte-Carpio stressed she would not stay silent if political actors weaponize impeachment for bargaining.
“I cannot remain silent while the impeachment process is being twisted into a budget-driven racket,” she said.
The Vice President issued the statement after Bayan chairperson Teddy Casiño said progressive groups were preparing a new impeachment complaint once the one-year prohibition lapses in February. Casiño said alleged “betrayal of public trust,” including supposed misuse of confidential funds, remained among the grounds being studied.
The Supreme Court earlier halted the Senate impeachment proceedings against Duterte-Carpio, ruling in July that they violated the constitutional ban on multiple impeachment processes within a year. A fresh complaint may only be filed after Feb. 6, 2026./PN
