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House to move forward with VP impeach raps

PBBM won’t interfere with proceedings—Bersamin

The three impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte will finally move at the House of Representatives as these are set to be transmitted to the Office of the Speaker “this week,” House secretary-general Reginald Velasco said.

“(They’re) still with me, but we have to act on these this week. We will act on it this week…This week is the deadline we have set (for the transmittal),” Velasco said.

The Palace, for its part, said it will not interfere with the proceedings at the House, rejecting the claim of Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas that the President was a “cause of delay” in the impeachment of Duterte.

“The power to initiate and act on impeachment complaints is the sole prerogative of the House of Representatives,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said.

“Out of respect for institutions, the President will not interfere in a matter over which a co-equal branch has exclusive jurisdiction,” he added.

Mr. Marcos earlier said the timing of the impeachment moves was “very poor” given the looming campaign season.

The three impeachment raps have been with the House secretary-general’s office for over a month now, but Velasco denied there was a directive to delay the proceedings.

“There is no instruction given to me (to delay action on impeachment complaints),” Velasco said.

He said the supposed fourth impeachment complaint against the Vice President has not yet been filed.

“You know, I think we have given them enough time (to file the fourth), so we will have to transmit the impeachment complaints within this week,” Velasco added.

Velasco earlier said there were about 12 lawmakers from the majority and minority blocs who signified their intention to file the fourth impeachment complaint against Duterte.

A vote of at least one third or at least 103 legislators are needed to enable a verified impeachment complaint to be automatically elevated to the Senate.

The three impeachment complaints, however, have yet to gain additional support from lawmakers, Velasco said.

Duterte earlier said she is “okay” with the filing of the impeachment complaints against her.

The three impeachment raps cited her alleged violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, plunder and malversation, bribery, graft and corruption, and other high crimes.

Thousands of protesters gathered at the EDSA People Power Monument last week to demand the Vice President’s impeachment.

A recent survey by the Social Weather Stations showed 41 percent of Filipinos support the impeachment of Duterte.

The survey, conducted from Dec. 12 to 18, 2024, also revealed that 35 percent opposed Duterte’s ouster, while 19 percent were undecided.

The highest percentage of impeachment supporters was recorded in Balance Luzon at 50 percent.

In Mindanao, the Duterte family’s stronghold, opposition to impeachment was the highest, with 56 percent of respondents rejecting the complaints.

In the Visayas, 40 percent backed impeachment, 33 percent opposed it, and 24 percent were undecided.

— Maricel Cruz & Charles Dantes

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Credit belongs to: www.manilastandard.net

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