'Enough' lawmakers support 4th impeachment complaint vs VP Sara Duterte: House secgen | ABS-CBN

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'Enough' lawmakers support 4th impeachment complaint vs VP Sara Duterte: House secgen

'Enough' lawmakers support 4th impeachment complaint vs VP Sara Duterte: House secgen

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Updated Feb 05, 2025 02:19 PM PHT

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MANILA (UPDATED) — More than enough House members have signed on to a fourth impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte that has yet to be made public, the chamber's secretary general said Wednesday afternoon.

The disclosure came after reports of a caucus within the House majority that allegedly included the impeachment complaints — three were filed late last year — against Duterte over alleged irregularities in her offices' use of confidential funds.

"We have enough. 102 lang ang requirement. It was last reported 153 na. Pero wala pa kaming exact number until we report it to the plenary," House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said.

(We have enough. The requirement was 102, but the last reported number was 153. But we cannot give the exact number until we report it to the plenary)

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He said his office has yet to receive the fourth complaint, which he had deferred action on three previous complaints against Duterte for.

Velasco said the fourth complaint, which would constitute the Articles of Impeachment, if it is filed by more than a third of the members of the House, will have to be presented on the House floor.

"And once it's approved, transmitted na agad sa Senate (Once it's approved, it will be transmitted to the Senate)," he said.

If that happens, Duterte would be considered impeached and will face trial at the Senate.

CAUCUS ON WEDNESDAY MORNING

Several lawmakers on Wednesday confirmed that a caucus was scheduled this morning at the House of Representatives, with at least one of them saying the pending impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte were part of the agenda. 

"Parang naghahanda ata ang majority sa ipe-present mamaya about the impeachment. I have to verify pa nga ano 'yung complaint na 'yun, either one, two, or three," House Deputy Minority Leader Rep. France Castro said, referring to the 3 impeachment complaints filed last December.

Other lawmakers however were unsure about the agenda of the caucus. 

"I just received a message. I'm not aware [if it's about impeachment] because the message was a little vague [saying] 'see you at Romualdez Hall.' I'm not at liberty to say [who sent it]," House Assistant Majority Leader Rep. Amparo Maria Zamora said.

Caloocan City Rep. Mitzi Cajayon-Uy meanwhile said the Office of the House Speaker was the one who called for the meeting on Wednesday morning.

House Secretary General Reginald Velasco earlier gave the assurance that impeachment complaints filed against Duterte will be referred to the Office of House Speaker Martin Romualdez not later than this week.

NO MORE TIME?

But an endorser of one of the impeachment complaints against Duterte believes there is "no more time" for these to move forward since Congress is going on break.

Camarines Sur 3rd District Rep. Gabriel Bordado Jr. said he was unsure if there will be enough time to pursue the impeachment of the Vice President.

"Sa tingin ko kasi wala nang panahon. Wala nang panahon. Ito na ang last day namin and we will be out for more than four months sa campaign. So sa tingin ko wala na eh," he said.

"Wala nang panahon para mag-focus pa diyan sa impeachment. I don't know if that can still be pursued pag bumalik kami sa June. Two weeks pa yun, anim na sessions pa yun. I really cannot say what will happen in the succeeding days," Bordado said.

House will adjourn session on February 7 and will resume on June 2. 

For an impeachment complaint to be transmitted directly to the Senate, at least 103 House members should endorse it.

A Social Weather Stations survey in December showed 41 percent of Filipinos support the impeachment of Duterte while 19 percent are "undecided."

More details to follow.

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