VP Duterte skips impeachment hearing; lawmakers slam ‘ghosting’ strategy

Vice President Sara Duterte once again snubbed a House Justice Committee hearing on Wednesday, signaling a continued defiance of the impeachment proceedings she has previously dismissed as constitutionally flawed.

Her assigned seat remained empty as the committee secretary called the roll, a move that prompted Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, the panel’s chairperson‚ to formally note her absence before the body.

The hearing was specifically designated to scrutinize the vice president’s financial records, including her statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN), tax filings, and business records.

Lawmakers sought to determine the merit of complaints regarding alleged unexplained wealth and the misuse of hundreds of millions in confidential funds.

Duterte’s absence drew sharp criticism from Luistro, who used her opening statement to accuse the vice president of “ghosting” and “gaslighting” the Filipino people.

Luistro lamented that while the Vice President refuses to provide testimony under oath within the halls of Congress, she remains highly active in releasing press statements and social media content to address the allegations.

The lawmaker emphasized that the committee is seeking “ultimate facts” regarding the ₱111 million in alleged disproportionate deposits and the liquidation of confidential funds, yet the public is instead being diverted by Duterte’s peripheral commentaries on unrelated personal matters.

This pattern of avoidance, according to Luistro, undermines the legislative process and the public’s right to transparency.

Despite the empty chair at the witness table, the 39-member committee proceeded with its inquiry, moving to examine documents sourced from the Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory bodies.

The allegations fueling the impeachment drive extend beyond financial impropriety, including claims that Duterte conspired to destabilize the government and plotted against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other top officials.

Duterte has consistently maintained her innocence, filing a motion in March that characterized the charges as speculative and based on recycled accusations from previous political attacks.