VP Sara rejects impeachment hearing claims, defends academic record

VICE-PRESIDENT (VP) Sara Duterte-Carpio on Wednesday rejected allegations raised at a House of Representatives Justice Committee hearing, defending her academic record and dismissing claims that she required special assistance in law school or had irregularities in her academic performance.

Following impeachment proceedings against her on Tuesday, Ms. Duterte said she passed the bar exam on her first attempt and accused her critics of spreading falsehoods to undermine her credibility.

“This mini-trial in the Committee on Justice is true to form for some of its members: abuse and corruption appear to be the only things they are capable of,” she said in a statement. “I never asked any professor for special accommodation for my grades because the bare minimum was easy enough to meet.”

She also cited past allegations involving earlier impeachment complaints, saying the process had been tainted by accusations of misconduct among lawmakers.

“Let us remember that the first impeachment case itself was marred by allegations of bribery involving members of the [House], and this second impeachment is no better,” she added.

The latest hearings form part of a House inquiry into allegations of misuse of public funds and other complaints against the Vice-President. Central to the proceedings was testimony from Ramil L. Madriaga, a former aide of her father former President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

Mr. Madriaga alleged that he acted as a private courier or “bagman,” delivering millions of pesos in cash to various recipients, including in relation to confidential funds. He also claimed he functioned as a “dummy” for financial transactions during the Duterte administration.

He further alleged a December 2022 operation involving the transfer of about P125 million in confidential funds to the Office of the Vice-President, saying the money was moved and distributed within a short period.

Mr. Madriaga also made broader claims linking ex-President Duterte and some retired military officials to political plans against President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., including a supposed term-sharing deal and contingency discussions to remove him from office — assertions that have not been independently verified.

Ms. Duterte also criticized the Marcos administration’s response to the Middle East-driven fuel price surge, saying the government had failed to provide adequate relief and was instead engaged in political maneuvering.

A once allied political partnership that delivered a decisive victory in the 2022 elections, the Marcos and Duterte camps have since become increasingly divided following Ms. Duterte’s resignation from the Cabinet as Education secretary.

Malacañang Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro responded sharply to Ms. Duterte’s remarks, saying the Vice-President appeared unaware of government measures addressing the energy crisis.

“The brain that doesn’t feed itself eats itself,” Ms. Castro said, quoting the late American writer Gore Vidal.

“It’s sad for a public servant who appears to be ignorant,” she said, adding that accountability and transparency remain central to governance.

She also noted that President Marcos was elected to serve a full term and dismissed suggestions of instability as politically motivated.

Meanwhile, Senator Maria Imelda Josefa “Imee” R. Marcos rejected claims made by Mr. Madriaga regarding the supposed term-sharing agreement between the President and Vice-President.

“There is no such thing as term-sharing, that is a lie,” she told reporters, adding that she would remain impartial should impeachment proceedings reach the Senate.

She also called on her brother to refute the claims made by Mr. Madriaga. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana and Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel