Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation Larry Gadon on Wednesday filed a complaint with the Supreme Court (SC) calling for the disbarment of Vice President Sara Duterte, citing her recent controversial remarks and actions.
Gadon, a disbarred lawyer himself, urged the High Court to initiate motu proprio disbarment proceedings against Duterte, accusing her of making statements that were “illegal, immoral, and condemnable.”
“Such statements coming from the second-highest official of the land, seen and heard by millions of Filipinos, are undoubtedly illegal, immoral, and condemnable,” Gadon wrote in his letter to the SC.
The controversy stems from Duterte’s recent statement claiming she had considered contracting someone to harm President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez if an alleged plot against her succeeded. Duterte later clarified that her statement was not a threat, explaining it was meant to highlight potential risks to her security and was “taken out of logical context.”
Authorities, however, have treated her remarks as a potential national security threat, with President Marcos vowing to counter “criminal attempts” against him.
Calls for Resignation and Threat of Impeachment
In his complaint, Gadon also called for Duterte’s resignation as Vice President, warning of imminent impeachment proceedings in the next Congress.
“Mag-resign siya. Dahil sinisiguro ko, siguradong-sigurado ako, na sa next Congress siya ay i-impeach,” Gadon said. (She should resign because I assure, I am absolutely certain, that in the next Congress she will be impeached.)
Gadon further threatened to file impeachment cases against Supreme Court justices if they fail to act on his disbarment complaint.
“If the Supreme Court has applied it wrongfully in the circumstance of Atty. Larry Gadon, there is no reason that the Supreme Court cannot apply it rightfully to Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio,” he stated, alleging his own disbarment was marked by “injustice, unfairness, and extreme discrimination.”
Regret Over Support
Gadon, who ran under the Marcos-Duterte Uniteam in the 2022 elections, expressed regret over his previous support for Duterte.
“Yes, I really regret [supporting the Dutertes]… Vice President Sara’s statements are very immature. Kulang na kulang sa statesmanship. At saka hindi siya nag-aaral, basta nalang siya nagsasalita,” he said. (Her statements lack statesmanship and are made without much thought.)
Past and Pending Disbarment Complaints
The Supreme Court has also reportedly received an anonymous complaint against Duterte over remarks about exhuming the remains of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and dumping them into the West Philippine Sea.
Additionally, two earlier disbarment cases against Duterte—originating from her time as Davao City Mayor in 2011, when she was caught punching a court sheriff—are still pending before the SC.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has also noted that Duterte’s remarks may have breached “moral principles,” and the Department of Justice is reviewing potential legal implications.
This latest development marks a growing rift within the administration’s ranks, casting a spotlight on Duterte’s controversial statements and their potential legal and political consequences.