Security perform simulation exercises at the House of Representatives north gate entrance in Batasan, Quezon City on July 20, 2023 a few days before the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Batasang Pambansa Complex is under security lockdown as preparations reach the final stages of the SONA slated for July 24. Joan Bondoc, PNA photos

MANILA — There have been no orders from House Speaker Martin Romualdez to have Vice President Sara Duterte impeached, lawmakers from the House majority said, adding there is no talk of it at the lower chamber either.

They issued the statements following reports of a message allegedly sent by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to House leaders urging against impeachment because it will distract government from its work.

"Hindi ko pa po alam 'yan. Wala naman po akong nare-receive na communication from the House leadership," Manila Rep. Joel Chua said on Thursday. 

(I don't know anything about that. I have not received any communication from the House leadership)

Chua chairs the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability holding hearings on the use of confidential funds allocated to Duterte's offices in 2022 and 2023. 

"'Yung impeachment ay hindi pa napag-uusapan. Sa totoo lang, naka-focus pa kami dito sa iba pang usapin," he added.

(We have not discussed impeachment. Truth be told, we are focused on other issues)

House Assistant Majority Leader Jefferson Khonghun of Zambales said there have been no instructions from House leadership to initiate impeachment proceedings, adding it has not come up.

HOUSE TO RESPECT RIGHT TO FILE IMPEACHMENT COMPLAINT

He said, however, that House members and civil society groups might file complaints on their own.

"Dapat nating irespeto ‘yung mga karapatan ng ating mga mamamayan na mag-file ng impeachment o reklamo sa mga ospisyales, including sa ating bise-presidente. Hindi natin ito kailangan saklawan. Kailangan din natin igalang kung mayroon mang miyembro ng Kongreso na mag-eendorso nito," Khonghun said.

(We must rescpect the citizens' rights to file impeachment or other complaints against officials, including the vice president. We should not prevent those. We also need to respect it if a member of the House endorses it)

Activist coalition Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) has openly called for Duterte's impeachment and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro said over the weekend that an impeachment complaint might be filed before year-end.

De Lima: Sara Duterte's threats could lead to impeachment, disbarment, criminal cases

Castro said Duterte might face a complaint for betrayal of public trust over alleged irregularities in the use of confidential funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, an issue that a House panel is already investigating.

A House member can file a verified impeachment complaint or endorse one filed by a citizen. That complaint will then be referred to a House committee for action.

RELATED: House leadership not endorsing impeachment of VP Sara: Rep. Tulfo

NO IMPEACHMENT TALK AT BUDGET BICAM

House Speaker Martin Romualdez and members were also mum about reports of impeachment as they convened a bicameral conference committee to reconcile the differences in versions of the proposed 2025 national budget.

Romualdez avoided the media and House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan of 4Ps Party-List did not answer questions from reporters either.

"Wala pa so far. Tingnan natin kung ano mangyayari," Deputy Speaker David Suarez of Quezon said.

(There is none so far. Let's see what will happen)

LAWMAKERS WANT BUDGET RESPONSIVE TO PEOPLE'S NEEDS

There was no reference to any impeachment plot during the meeting of the panel.

Senators will sit as judges in an impeachment trial, while some House members will be the prosecutors.

After convening, the panels from the House and Senate formed a technical working group from among their members that will focus on reconciling the differences between versions of the budget bill.

While the budget ceiling remains at P6.352 trillion, senators made changes to House Bill 10800 before approving it on third and final reading this week.

The bicameral conference committee is expected to come up with a reconciled bill that will be submitted to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for signature before the end of the year.

"Lahat tayo ay kumakatawan sa iba’t ibang pananaw, interes, at mga nasasakupan (All of us represent different perspectives, interests and constituents). But let our differences become our strength. Let’s use them to create a budget that’s balanced, equitable, and pro-people," Sen. Grace Poe, chair of the Senate Finance Committee said.

RELATED: Why the Senate decided against increasing the OVP's 2025 budget

"As we move forward, let us find ways to reconcile our differences and ensure that our efforts align with the programs and priorities of the present administration," House Appropriations Chair Elizaldy Co of Ako Bicol Party-List said in his opening remarks.

"Let us seize this opportunity to shape the legacy of our colletive work — one that reflects our shared commitment to build a stronger, more equitable, more resilient Philippines," he said.

"In the House, we've worked hard to ensure that our version of the budget reflects the priorities of the Filipino people," Romualdez said.

"Let's give them a budget that says, 'yes, we hear you, yes, we care, and we're doing something about it'," the House speaker said in his closing remarks at the meeting.

"Hiling namin doon sa mga intersado talaga na maging matiyaga na tingnan at suriin ang mga datos (We are asking those who are really interested to be patient and to look at and scrutinize the data)," Senate President Francis Escudero said.

READ: Escudero appeals for calm after VP Sara Duterte's rants

Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa asked the panel to make sure all members of the panel have enough time to examine the output of the bicameral conference before final approval.