(UPDATE) VICE President Sara Duterte on Tuesday welcomed the impeachment complaints filed against her at the House of Representatives.
Two such complaints were filed against Duterte last week — one was filed by civil society groups on Dec. 2, and the other was filed by members of people’s organizations on Dec. 4.
“Well, it is better that there are impeachment cases so that we can properly answer whatever their accusations are because the process is laid out clearly in our laws regarding impeachment,” she said in Filipino in a TV5 interview shared by her office Tuesday.
Vice President Sara Duterte. PHOTOS BY ISMAEL DE JUAN
The 1987 Constitution gives the House of Representatives exclusive power to initiate impeachment cases and gives the Senate the power to try them.
Under the Constitution, a verified impeachment complaint may be filed by a lawmaker of the House. Any citizen may also file a complaint, but it must be endorsed by a lawmaker of the House.
The complaint filed on Dec. 2 focused on various issues, including the use of confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President. The complaint alleged a culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, and “other high crimes” and was endorsed by Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña.
The House “is constitutionally mandated to act on any impeachment complaint filed in accordance with the 1987 Constitution,” House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said on Dec. 2.
“It is crucial to underscore that addressing an impeachment complaint is not a discretionary act for the House of Representatives but a constitutional obligation. The Constitution prescribes clear steps to ensure fairness and adherence to the rule of law,” Velasco said.
The complaint filed on Dec. 4 also focused on confidential funds. Alleging betrayal of public trust, the complaint was endorsed by the three lawmakers comprising the Makabayan bloc: ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, Kabayan Rep. Raoul Manuel, and Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas.
Under the Constitution, a vote of one-third of all House members is needed to proceed to trial.
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