MANILA (UPDATED) — Twenty-five members of the House of Representatives have signed documents to add their names to the 215 already on the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte, the chamber said in a release on Friday, explaining the lawmakers were not physically present on Wednesday to sign the complaint.

According to the House release, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco has confirmed that the lawmakers have submitted verification forms to be added as complainants.

“The Senate has not yet convened so it will be up to them on what to do with these 25 members of the House of Representatives who have sent to us their verification,” Velasco said.

If the names are included in the articles of impeachment, that would bring the number of complainants to 240, or close to eight of every ten of the chamber's 306 members.

LIST: The House members who voted to impeach VP Sara Duterte

The following have submitted their verification forms, according to the House:

• Abono Rep. Robert Raymund Estrella
• ACT-CIS Rep. Edvic Yap
• Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co
• Ako Bisaya Rep. Sonny Lagon
• Ako Ilocano Ako (AIA) Rep. Richelle Singson
• Biñan Rep. Marlyn “Len” Alonte (Lakas-CMD)
• Cagayan Rep. Ramon Nolasco Jr. (Lakas-CMD)
• Cavite Rep. Adrian Jay Advincula (National Unity Party)
• GP Rep. Jose Gay Padiernos
• Isabela Rep. Tonypet Albano (Lakas-CMD)
• Kabayan Rep. Ron Salo
• Lanao del Norte Rep. Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo (Lakas-CMD)
• Leyte Rep. Carl Nicolas Cari (Lakas-CMD)
• Masbate Rep. Richard Kho (Lakas-CMD)
• Masbate Rep. Olga “Ara” Kho (Lakas-CMD)
• Masbate Rep. Wilton Kho (Lakas-CMD)
• Negros Occidental Rep. Emilio Bernardino Yulo (Lakas-CMD)
• Oriental Mindoro Rep. Alfonso Umali Jr. (Liberal Party)
• Pangasinan Rep. Ramon Guico Jr. (Lakas-CMD)
• Pangasinan Rep. Arthur Celeste (Nacionalista Party)
• Quirino Rep. Midy Cua (Lakas-CMD)
• Sagip Rep. Caroline Tanchay
• Sultan Kudarat Rep. Princess Rihan Sakaluran (Lakas-CMD)
• Tarlac Rep. Noel “Bong” Rivera (Nationalist People’s Coalition)
• Tarlac Rep. Christian Tell Yap (Sama-Sama Tarlac)

The House on Wednesday voted to impeach Vice President Duterte on allegations corruption, betrayal of public trust and violations of the Constitution. 

Sara Duterte says she’s ‘okay’ after impeachment: ‘We leave it to the lawyers’

'NOTHING IN EXCHANGE'

Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers maintained Friday nothing was given to lawmakers in exchange for affixing their signatures to the impeachment complaint.

"Nagkaroon po ng consultation ng mga political parties. Sila po ay nabigyan ng kopya itong complaint na ito, pinag-aralan, pinag-inanalyze po nila. At pumirma po ang ibang mga miyembro na sumang-ayon po dito. At wala hong kapalit dito," Barbers told a press conference.

(There was a consultation among political parties. They were given copies of the complaint to study and analyze and some of the members who agreed with it signed their names. There was nothing given in return)

Barbers said that the impeachment complaint deals with transparency, accountability and rule of law. 

"Kailangan magkaroon din tayo ng paninindigan na magkaroon ng hustisya sa both sides — hustisya maaari sa ating mga nag-aakusa at hustisya rin po sa mga inaakusahan. Wala pong lalabas na katotohanan kung di tayo dadaan sa isang pruseso na nakasaad din po sa ating Saligang Batas."

(We have to take a stand for justice — that could be justice for the accuser or for the accused. The truth cannot come out if we do not go through the process, which is laid down in our Constitution)

Duterte has denied the allegations and has blamed the issues she is facing on politics and on attempts to frustrate a potential run for president in the 2028 elections.

Appearing before media on Friday, the impeached vice president said her legal team has been preparing for her potential impeachment since the possibility of a complaint being filed against her was floated by ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro.

Impeached Sara Duterte won't rule out presidential run

She also said that a breakup would have hurt worse than being impeached by the House. 

Duterte is the first vice president of the Philippines to be impeached. 

— with a report from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News

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