Broken Gavel, Broken Democracy: The Sinister Plot to Impeach VP Sara and Derail the Will of the Filipino People

 By Atty. Arnedo S. Valera

Introduction: A Democracy Under Siege

In a time when the Philippines stands at a crossroads of uncertainty, a dangerous political storm is being stirred—not by the enemies of the state, but by those entrusted with its sacred institutions. The brewing impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte is not merely a partisan maneuver; it is a calculated, sinister attempt to cripple her candidacy for the presidency in 2028. It is a betrayal of the very democratic mandate she received from more than 32 million Filipinos—a mandate even stronger than that of the current President.

This is not an ordinary political contest. It is a ruthless plot to remove, discredit, and permanently neutralize a national leader who dares to stand independently, courageously, and unyieldingly—even in the face of betrayal by some of her former allies.

I. Weaponizing Impeachment: From Constitutional Safeguard to Political Sword

Impeachment, in its highest ideal, is a solemn constitutional mechanism designed to hold public officials accountable for grave offenses—not a political sword to strike down dissent or rival ambition. But what we are witnessing today is a grotesque perversion of this tool. The charges allegedly planned against VP Sara—from the use of confidential funds to unfounded allegations of political threats—are not just weak; they are a travesty.

There is no constitutional, legal, or moral basis to impeach a sitting Vice President for policy differences or administrative discretion. Confidential funds, a prerogative used by many government agencies and affirmed by past Presidents, are now being selectively weaponized. If this is the standard, then many high-ranking officials, including Cabinet members and legislators, should be equally scrutinized—not just the Vice President.

More dangerously, they claim she made "threats" against the President, the Speaker, and a powerful business family. These are vague, unproven, and chillingly convenient accusations. They reek of political paranoia and orchestrated propaganda.

II. The April Blueprint: Laying the Ground for Disqualification

This plot was not born yesterday. It has been meticulously laid out as early as April. The first stage was character assassination—misrepresenting the use of confidential funds, inventing scenarios of "destabilization," and feeding the public a narrative of betrayal. Then came the second stage: insinuating her involvement in controversies that had nothing to do with her.

Among the most outrageous of these was linking her family—especially former President Rodrigo Duterte—to international legal processes and suggesting her complicity in not surrendering him to the International Criminal Court (ICC). This is not only legally absurd—since the Philippines formally withdrew from the ICC in 2019—but it also reflects a deep disrespect for Philippine sovereignty and jurisprudence.

To push for VP Sara’s impeachment on this basis is not only a legal fallacy—it is a diplomatic and constitutional blunder.

III. More Votes than the President: A Democratic Reality

Let us not forget the democratic reality: VP Sara Duterte was elected with over 32 million votes, more than any vice president in Philippine history—and notably, more than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. This is the will of the people—clear, resounding, and sovereign.

To remove or destroy her politically through a manipulated impeachment is not just an affront to her office. It is an assault on the Filipino electorate, on every citizen who believed in her candidacy and supported her vision of a disciplined, peaceful, and secure Philippines.

This is not just about one woman. This is about the very soul of our democracy.

IV. Congress Must Reclaim Its Purpose: Legislate, Not Annihilate

The Filipino people are watching. They are tired of drama, vendettas, and manufactured scandals. The real crisis in the country is not VP Sara's leadership—it is the crippling economic burden, the unresolved decades-long communist insurgency, and the continuing threat of Islamic fundamentalist terrorism. Congress must focus its energy and the taxes paid by our people on crafting laws that solve these long-standing problems.

Not on wasting precious national time and attention on a legally baseless, morally questionable impeachment designed solely to break the political legs of a future presidential contender.

V. The Fight is Bigger Than One Woman—It Is for the Nation’s Future

This sinister move to impeach VP Sara Duterte is not only a personal political attack; it is a national betrayal. If successful, it will set a dangerous precedent that any duly elected leader can be removed—not for corruption, not for betrayal of public trust—but for political convenience and power preservation.

It must be stopped. Not just for her, but for the preservation of democratic integrity and national unity.

 Let the People Decide, Not the Plotters

This is a battle not just for one leader’s future but for the very heart of Philippine democracy. If VP Sara is to be stopped, let it be by the will of the people at the ballot box in 2028—not by underhanded plots disguised as constitutional duty.

To the political plotters: Enough is enough. Stop wasting the nation’s time. Focus on laws, on justice for all—not selective justice, not political persecution.

Let the Filipino people, and only the Filipino people, decide who will lead them into the next chapter of our Republic.

History has a long memory. And it will remember who stood for democracy—and who tried to destroy it.

#StandWithDemocracy
#LetThePeopleDecide
#NoToPoliticalPersecution

Atty. Arnedo S. Valera is the executive director of the Global Migrant Heritage Foundation and managing attorney at Valera & Associates, a US immigration and anti-discrimination law firm for over 32 years. He holds a master’s degree in International Affairs and International Law and Human Rights from Columbia University and was trained at the International Institute of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws from Ateneo de Manila University.  He is an AB-Philosophy Major at the University  of Santo Tomas ( UST). He is a professor at San Beda Graduate School of Law (LLM Program), teaching International Security and Alliances