House: We never had impeachment move vs VP Duterte on our agenda

House of Representatives. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The leadership of the House of Representatives has maintained that they never listed possible impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte as part of their agenda, noting that they have consistently denied having a hand on such moves.

In a joint statement on Friday, Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., Deputy Speaker David Suarez, and Majority Floor Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe said that while the House is committed to upholding transparency — in light of fund use anomalies encountered by Duterte’s offices — the focus of lawmakers is to uncover the truth.

“As we have repeatedly pointed out in media interviews, impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte are not on our agenda,” the House leaders said.

“While we are committed to upholding transparency and accountability, the primary focus of the House committees concerned is on uncovering the truth behind the use of confidential funds and addressing any alleged irregularities linked to questionable businesses that reportedly emerged during the previous administration,” they added.

This statement of the House leaders came as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed that he asked lawmakers not to proceed with an impeachment complaint against Duterte, as it is unimportant and would not do anything to improve people’s lives.

Marcos also admitted that a message circulating over social media making the same call against Duterte’s possible impeachment came from him. However, he noted that it was supposed to be a private communication.

READ: Marcos says he ordered impeachment moves vs VP Sara Duterte stopped 

Previously, different members of the House leadership have denied having a hand or knowing something about calls to impeach Duterte.  Last August 13, Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon said they had not heard talks about impeachment raps against Duterte, but he clarified that he would not be surprised if there were any.

Then, on August 20, House Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo said that meetings held by House members were not about Duterte’s impeachment.

READ: House leaders reiterate: No plan to impeach VP Duterte 

Despite these, the House leaders assured the public that they understand the possibility of some parties wanting to file impeachment complaints against officials — adding that the House is ready to fulfill this duty.

“However, we also recognize that the House of Representatives has a constitutional duty to act on impeachment complaints filed by ordinary citizens against impeachable officials. This is not just the responsibility of the institution, but also the individual duty of each congressman to uphold the Constitution,” the three House officials said.

“Should an impeachment complaint be properly filed in accordance with the rules, the House is obligated to deliberate on it fairly and transparently, ensuring that the process adheres to the highest standards of justice.  Let us work together to ensure that governance remains focused on what truly matters—delivering results and improving the lives of our people — while fulfilling all constitutional mandates with integrity and impartiality,” they added.

Last September 26, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) chairperson and former lawmaker Teddy Casiño said that they were preparing impeachment complaints against Duterte, based on betrayal of public trust after the House committee on good government and public accountability probed fund misuse allegations within Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd).

READ: Bayan drafting impeachment complaint vs VP Sara Duterte – Casiño 

However, insiders have told reporters covering the House that there might be a need to update the impeachment complaints, considering Duterte’s recent behavior.

Duterte stirred controversy last November 22 as it was revealed that after visiting Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez, her chief-of-staff who was detained at the House premises, she locked herself inside the office of her brother, Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte.

READ: Sara Duterte’s kill remark vs Marcos is ‘active threat’ – Palace 

Due to the security problems with Duterte staying inside the Batasang Pambansa, the House committee decided to transfer Lopez to the Correctional Institute for Women.

After this, Duterte held a press briefing early Saturday morning, where she badmouthed the First couple and Romualdez.  The Vice President also claimed that she has already tasked someone to assassinate the three in case she gets killed.