The House Secretary General, Reginald Velasco, confirmed on Friday that three impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte have been verified. These complaints are linked to allegations of misusing confidential funds. The process is now moving forward, with Velasco ready to transmit the complaints to Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez for further action.
What Happened?
The Complaints
Three impeachment complaints were filed late last year in the House of Representatives. These complaints accuse Vice President Sara Duterte of allegedly misusing confidential funds during her tenure. After careful review, Velasco confirmed that the legal department has verified all three complaints, making them valid for the next steps in the impeachment process.
What’s Next in the Process?
Transmission to Speaker’s Office
The verified complaints will be transmitted to Speaker Romualdez’s office, who will have 10 days to include them in the House’s Order of Business. Once included, the House plenary will have three days to refer the cases to the Justice Committee for evaluation and deliberation.
A Unique Situation
Velasco noted that this case is unusual because there are multiple complaints. Additionally, a group of House members has requested more time to either file a fourth complaint or endorse one of the three existing ones.
Why the Delay?
Velasco clarified that the transmission is not being delayed unnecessarily. He explained that since Congress is currently on break, no action can be taken until sessions resume on January 13. “There’s no point in transmitting the complaints now if nothing can be done during the break,” he said.
He also emphasized that the House Rules on Impeachment do not set a specific deadline for transmitting complaints. However, he assured the public that he will act responsibly to avoid negligence.
Reactions from Lawmakers
Akbayan Partylist Representative Speaks Out
Representative Perci Cendaña, who endorsed one of the complaints, stressed the importance of acting on the issue promptly. He argued that delaying the process sets a bad example for public officials and undermines accountability.
“It has already been a month since the first complaint was filed. This waiting time is too long. Abusing power should have consequences, and the House must act now,” Cendaña stated.
Vice President Sara Duterte Responds
Vice President Duterte has publicly welcomed the impeachment complaints, stating that they give her an opportunity to respond to the allegations. She also expressed relief that the complaints focus solely on her and not her former or current colleagues in government.
Key Points to Remember
- Three complaints accuse VP Duterte of misusing confidential funds.
- Verification completed: All three complaints are valid and ready for transmission.
- Next steps: The Speaker will decide when to include the complaints in the House’s Order of Business.
- No deadline: Rules don’t specify when the Secretary General must transmit the complaints.
- Unique case: Lawmakers are considering additional complaints, causing slight delays.
Why It Matters
This process highlights the importance of accountability in government. Impeachment is a serious legal and political tool designed to hold officials responsible for their actions. Moving forward, the House’s actions will be closely watched as the complaints proceed through the system.
