MANILA — A third impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte is being contemplated by some congressmen, according to House Secretary General Reginald Velasco.

He refused to give further details, but said he was informed of the possibility that the fresh complaint will be filed not later than next week.

“May mga congressman na kumausap sa akin na mayroon daw silang pinag-iisipang i-file or i-endorse. Kaya on hold kami dito, nag-iintay kami…Malalaman natin next week kung itutuloy nila ‘yung complaint na ifa-file nila,” Velasco told the media on Thursday.

“We were just informed na standby lang. Baka mag-file kami ng another complaint. So, we respect their decision,” he added.

“I cannot reveal eh. Kasi mayroon kaming agreement na it will remain confidential until they actually endorse or file the complaint,” Velasco noted.

The Office of the House Secretary General targets to transmit next week all impeachment complaints filed against Duterte to the Office of House Speaker Martin Romualdez, for inclusion in the House plenary’s Order of Business.

SIGNATURE DRIVE

Lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc at the House of Representatives have initiated efforts to gather the required number of signatures from House members on a “Resolution of Impeachment” against Duterte.

The resolution is based on the impeachment complaint endorsed by the three Makabayan congressmen on Wednesday, which cited “betrayal of public trust” as the lone ground for impeachment, and three issues connected with the utilization of confidential funds by the offices led by the Vice President.

“According to the Constitution and the House rules on impeachment,  securing the signatures of 106 representatives will automatically transmit the Resolution to the Senate for trial,” the Makabayan congressmen said.

NO IMPEACHMENT TALKS DURING FELLOWSHIP DINNER

Meanwhile, there were no talks of impeachment against Duterte during the Wednesday Christmas “fellowship” in Malacanang between congressmen and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., according to at least two lawmakers and Velasco.

The gathering happened after two impeachment complaints were filed against Duterte this week before the House of Representatives. But House Deputy Majority Leader and La Union 1st District Representative Paolo Ortega clarified that the event has long been planned.

“Wala. Hindi nga po napag-usapan ‘yung pulitika. More on, ang nasabi ng ating Pangulo, kung ano mga trabaho na ginagawa ng Legislative, ng Ehekutibo, magtrabaho lang tayo,” he told the media on Thursday.

During the gathering, a House Resolution previously approved in the plenary, expressing the lower chamber’s support to the President, was presented. In a manifesto, several House members also vowed to uphold and defend the Constitution amid supposed threats that seek to undermine the country’s security and democracy.

Around 200 congressmen attended the gathering.

“The President was very touched at dala malaking bagay sa kanya na may suporta po sa kanya ang House of Representatives,” Ortega said.

The House Secretary General and House Quad Committee Lead Co-Chairperson Representative Robert Ace Barbers, who also attended the Wednesday fellowship with the President, denied impeachment was tackled during the gathering.

“It's all fellowship and thanking the members for passing the legislative agenda of the BBM admin,” Barbers said in a message.

“It's a simple dinner, greetings lang. Merry Christmas, ginreet din ni Presidente ng maligayang bati, maligayang Pasko ‘yung mga congressmen and pinasalamatan niya ‘yung continued support ng mga congressman sa administration, particularly ‘yung mga priority bills ng administration,” Velasco added.