Vice President Sara Duterte graces the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry's 50th Philippine Business Conference and Expo in Pasay City on October 22, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File 

MANILA — Impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte face time constraints with the number of session days left, the Christmas break, and with lawmakers preparing for election campaigns, an official of the House Committee on Justice said Saturday, adding the complaints have not yet been referred to the panel.

VP Sara Duterte faces second impeachment complaint

In an interview on Teleradyo Serbisyo, Bukidnon 2nd District Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores, committee vice chair, admitted that the timeline to process these complaints would be tight.

"One of the issues nga is 'yung kakulangan sa number of session days, we will be encountering kung dadaan man sa ruta ng Committee on Justice," he said.

(One of the issues is the low number of session days, we will be encountering that if the complaints go the route of the Committee on Justice)

He said the Office of the Speaker needs to refer the complaints to the committee within three session days and task the panel on evaluating them on form and on substance.

Substance refers to whether the complaints contain the "elements of the supposed offense committed" and the "facts constituting the offense charged."

He added the panel needs to give the respondent — in this case,  Duterte — 10 days to address the complaints.

"So, hahaba pa yung proseso (So that will add to the process)," he said.

The panel can summon resource persons and hold clarificatory hearings if it needs to, Flores said.

It has 60 days to to report to the House in plenary its recommendation whether to dismiss the complaint or to send it to the Senate.

TIME IS TIGHT

Flores said that given the number of session days left for the 19th Congress, the committee has little time to deliberate on the complaints.

"I’m sorry to admit that, pero medyo tight (it is a little tight)," he said.

He added that lawmakers will also be busy with preparations for the 2025 elections and with other duties.

"In fact, karamihan ng mga kongresista, bumabalik na rin sa mga distrito nila. Magki-Christmas na, so nagpapakita na rin sa mga distrito," he said.

(In face, many of the House members have headed back to their districts. It's almost Christmas, so they are with their districts)

The Office of the House Secretary General eyes to transfer complaints filed against Duterte to the Speaker's office next week.

Secretary General Reginald Velasco also revealed to the media that several House members are also mulling a possible third impeachment case against the vice president.

Third impeachment complaint against Sara Duterte looms

106 VOTES BY MONDAY?

The Makabayan coalition, along with over 70 complainants who filed an impeachment case against Duterte due to alleged "betrayal of public trust", is doubling efforts to fast track the process at the lower chamber.

Former Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, who is currently Bayan Muna chairperson and one of the complainants, said they aim to reach target votes by Monday, December 9.

"Kailangan makakalap ng 106 signatures by Monday sana kung sakali para diretso na sa Senate 'yang impeachment complaints, 'yung pinakamabilis sana na paraan without violating, of course, the Constitution," he mentioned in an interview on Teleradyo Serbisyo.

(We need to gather 106 signatures, hopefully by Monday, so the impeachment complaints can be endorsed to the Senate. That is the quickest way to do it without violating the Constitution) 

Impeachment complaints may be filed by a House member or by a citizen, if endorsed by a House member.

A third way would be for one-third of the House to sign on to a complaint, which would become a resolution of impeachment that would be sent to the Senate for trial.

Flores already said that the procedural requirements for the committee pose a challenge.

“Not impossible, but challenging, because of the requirements na kailangan pang mag-answer (We need to give the respondent the opportunity to answer)... And if there is a need to ask questions and clarify things, may hearings pa yan na i-conduct si Committee on Justice,” he said.

Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro, also a vice chairperson of the House committee, earlier said that if a complaint can get 106 votes, it can be endorsed to the Senate as early as January 2025 for a trial that can be held from February to April.