Impeachment raps vs Duterte not a topic in Marcos, House meet – solon

MANILA, Philippines — While he understands that the timing of the meeting between House of Representatives members and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. may spark rumors, La Union 1st District Rep. Paolo Ortega V maintained that recently filed impeachment complaints against the Vice President were not discussed.

During a press briefing on Thursday, Ortega said what happened during the meeting between the fellowship between Marcos and House leaders was the presentation of House Resolution (HR) No. 2092 — expressing the chamber’s support for Marcos — and a manifesto also backing the President.

However, Ortega was also asked about the timing of the meeting, as it came after two impeachment complaints were filed against Vice President Sara Duterte.  According to Ortega, it was “normal” to think of it that way, but it was not what happened.

“Hindi. Normal ‘yun na ganun talaga ‘yong iisipin pero halos dalawang taon na po na tina-try namin na magkaroon ng small get-together hindi lang sa Christmas. Actually, no’ng first year ko meron po kaming gano’n din may small gathering kami pero nung sumunod na taon wala po kasi nga medyo sobrang busy po,” Ortega told reporters at the Batasang Pambansa.

(No, it’s normal to think of it that way, but we have been trying to set this up for two years, to have a small get-together not only for the Christmas season. Actually, during my first year, we had a small gathering but after that, we did not have the chance due to busy schedules.)

“At least nakasingit po ng schedule ngayon. Pero wala, hindi nga po napag-usapan ‘yong pulitika eh more on ‘yong nasabi ng ating Pangulo kung ano yung mga trabaho na ginagawa ng legislative ng ehekutibo. Magtrabaho lang tayo,” he added.

(At least we were able to fit it into our schedules now.  But we did not discuss it. We never actually talked about politics; it’s just more of the President’s advice that the Legislative and the Executive should continue working.)

According to Ortega, around 200 members of the House were present, and the program in Malacañang covered only the presentation of the resolution, the manifesto, statements from Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and Marcos, and a dinner.

“So dumating kami alas sais tapos nag-seating na kami.  Dumating po si Presidente mga after thirty minutes […] nag-welcome remarks po ang ating Speaker, prinesenta po natin yung resolution of support.  Nag-acceptance po ‘yong Presidente at syempre he was a very touched,” Ortega noted.

(So we got there around six in the evening. The President arrived thirty minutes after, and the Speaker made his welcome remarks and presented our resolution of support.  The President accepted it and he was very touched.)

“Pagkatapos po no’n dinner na, nag-dinner kami (around) thirty to forty minutes,” he added.

(After that, we had our dinner that went on for thirty to forty minutes.)

There were many rumors spreading on social media as to what was the reason for House members to meet with Marcos.  On Wednesday, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) plainly said that it was a fellowship between the House and Marcos, without releasing more details.

But on Thursday, the Office of Speaker Romualdez confirmed that a manifesto expressing the House’s support and resolve in defending the country against threats was given to Marcos.

The manifesto presented to Romualdez and other party-leaders in the House said they stand in solidarity with the President.

The following principles were declared in the manifesto:

• Defending the President as a Symbol of the Nation’s Sovereignty
• Upholding the Rule of Law and Democratic Governance
• Protecting the Nation from Internal and External Threats
• Promoting Legislative Unity for the Nation’s Welfare
• Ensuring the President’s Mandate is Fulfilled

“The Constitution vests executive power in the President, making him the embodiment of the people’s will and the nation’s unity. Any threat against the President is a threat against the Republic. We shall remain vigilant and resolute in ensuring his safety and the stability of his administration,” the lawmakers said.

“The Constitution enshrines the principles of democracy, justice, and the rule of law.  We categorically condemn any attempts to destabilize the government or subvert the administration’s programs aimed at advancing national progress,” they added.

READ: House assures Marcos of support

No exact threat was mentioned by lawmakers, but previously, Duterte made threats against Romualdez, Marcos, and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos.  In an online press briefing last November 23, Duterte said she had talked to someone about killing the three, in case she gets killed.

Duterte’s outburst came after she went to the House premises last November 21 to visit her chief-of-staff, Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez, who was then detained.  Lopez’s detention was due to the House committee on good government and public accountability citing her for contempt for undue interference in the hearings.

After leaving Lopez, Duterte went to the office of her brother Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, and locked herself inside.

But when the House committee decided to transfer Lopez to the Correctional Institute for Women, Duterte hurled expletives at Romualdez and the Marcos couple, before threatening to have them assassinated.

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

On Monday, civil society groups filed an impeachment complaint against Duterte, which was endorsed by Akbayan party-list Rep. Percival Cendaña.  Two days after, progressive organizations led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan filed their own impeachment rap, endorsed by lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc.

READ: Makabayan willing to work with Akbayan on VP Duterte’s impeachment