Group calls for impeachment of BBM, Sara

Local

A LOCAL group continues to intensify its call for the impeachment of top government officials, despite the recent dismissal of impeachment complaints against President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

The President has dismissed the complaints as "distractions" and politically motivated, but opposition groups maintain that the accusations are valid and should not be overlooked.

The progressive militant group Bayan Central Visayas has affirmed their stance on impeaching both Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte.

The group, led by activist Jaime Paglinawan, accused the two officials of financial mismanagement and corruption, particularly with regard to their handling of government funds.

In a statement also raised concerns about the legitimacy of their 2022 electoral victory, alleging that it was secured through extensive financial influence and manipulation.

Bayan Central Visayas specifically highlighted the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds from December 2022 through the third quarter of 2023.

The complaint pointed to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd), both of which were under Duterte’s supervision.

They said large sums of money were allegedly allocated for questionable purposes, such as the rental of safe houses, the provision of medical and food aid, and travel expenses — all without proper documentation or oversight.

These actions, the group argued, were clear violations of public trust.

Paglinawan further criticized the way Duterte’s office handled the funds, alleging that many of the recipients listed in the acknowledgment receipts, including some fictitious names, were not registered with the Philippine Statistics Authority.

He also pointed to the failure of both the OVP and DepEd to provide sufficient liquidation reports for the funds spent in 2023, calling the reports submitted to the Commission on Audit fabricated and misleading.

“Such actions represent a clear betrayal of public trust,” Paglinawan said, insisting that both Marcos and Duterte should be held accountable for their involvement in what he described as a massive misuse of taxpayers' money.

In past interviews, Duterte has defended the use of confidential funds allocated to both the DepEd and OVP, saying that they are crucial for national security.

She emphasized that these funds were vital in addressing corruption and combating the recruitment of students by local terrorist groups in schools.

Meanwhile, in response to the impeachment complaints, President Marcos dismissed the accusations as part of an ongoing political attack.

Speaking to reporters, Marcos expressed that he was not concerned about the proceedings, believing there were no substantive grounds for the complaints.

He added that he wasn't very worried, explaining that the complaints did not prosper because they lacked merit and were simply a political move, as usual.

The House of Representatives’ Committee on Justice, which has been reviewing the impeachment cases, ruled on February 2, that the complaints against Marcos were insufficient in substance.

In its ruling, the committee found that the charges failed to meet the necessary criteria to proceed.

Two separate complaints had been filed against the President, one accusing him of betrayal of public trust and the other related to the alleged mishandling of infrastructure funds.

Specifically, the second complaint targeted Marcos' role in the allocation of P213.8 billion in unprogrammed appropriations, with the bulk of the funds being reportedly diverted to ghost, overpriced, and substandard flood control projects.

Despite the dismissal of the impeachment complaints, Vice President Duterte is still facing ongoing efforts to impeach her.

A separate complaint filed by the Makabayan Coalition alleges that she abused her position by mismanaging confidential funds, with accusations of falsified liquidation reports and improper use of public funds.

According to the complaint, Duterte is said to have mishandled P375 million in 2023, a significant portion of which was allegedly used for discretionary expenses that lacked proper documentation and congressional oversight.

While many continue to push for accountability, Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro has voiced concerns over the potential consequences of prolonged political conflict.

Earlier, Baricuatro, a Duterte supporter, warned that the political turmoil surrounding the impeachment complaints could destabilize the government and derail the country’s ongoing recovery efforts.

The governor emphasized that the public spectacle of impeachment proceedings could have far-reaching implications, both domestically and internationally.(MyTVCebu)