The petition for the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte was filed in the Supreme Court on Tuesday, February 18. Among the advocates who submitted the petition were ex-chairman of the LTFRB Martin Delgra III and the attorney for the imprisoned pastor Apollo Quiboloy, Israel Torreon. Members of the council from the vice-president's home province—Davao—also joined the petition. In the petition, it is stated that the impeachment was "procedurally ineffective, constitutionally impermissible and jurisdictionally ineffective." Last week, a petition was also filed demanding the Senate to start the consideration of the impeachment. Senate President Chiz Escudero previously stated that the judicial investigation may begin in July following the appeal of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. concerning the placement of cases in the country. With 215 signatories out of 306 members of the lower house, representatives on February 5 stated accusations against Duterte in the impeachment. The impeachment was announced on the following grounds: corruption, breach of public trust, serious violations of the Constitution and other grave crimes. In the articles of impeachment, lawmakers of the lower house indicated threats to Duterte regarding the Marcos family's address, the alleged diversion of funds under the management of confidential funds amounting to 612.5 million pesos, the undue wealth and corruption, the unexplained wealth and undisclosed properties and interests, the alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings and destabilization.
