House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PHOTO
Leaders of the House of Representatives on Thursday doused speculations that congressmen gathered at Malacañang this week to discuss what to do with the two complaints to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte despite a call by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to lawmakers not to waste time on it.
Speculation was rife that the impeachment would be discussed with the President when cars and buses brought House members to the Palace on Wednesday night just hours after the second complaint was lodged at the House.
READ: House assures Marcos of support
But both the House and Malacañang downplayed the gathering as a mere “Christmas dinner,” which had long been scheduled.
Manifesto
But as it turns out, the “fellowship” night was not completely apolitical as the House majority led by the President’s cousin, Speaker Martin Romualdez, presented a manifesto of support to Mr. Marcos against “threats, both internal and external, that seek to undermine our independence, security, and democracy.” The two-page declaration did not specify where the threat was coming from.
Malacañang last week, however, said the President was under an “active threat” following a disclosure by Duterte that she had arranged for the assassination of the President, his wife Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Romualdez if an alleged plot to kill her succeeds.
The congressmen said that “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 manifesto made it clear that the House would use its mandate to thwart attempts to destabilize the Marcos administration and undermine his leadership.
To use all resources
“At all costs, we will stand united with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to uphold and defend the Constitution, ensure the welfare of our people, and safeguard the future of our nation,” it said.
The congressmen vowed to “mobilize all legislative resources to safeguard the republic against threats to independence, security and peace.”
Apart from Romualdez, Majority Leader Manuel Dalipe and Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales Jr., leaders of various proadministration parties signed the manifesto.
These included Jose Aquino II (Agusan del Norte), secretary general of Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats; L-Ray Villafuerte (Camarines Sur) of National Unity Party; Nacionalista Party senior member Robert Ace Barbers (Surigao del Norte); Florida Robes (San Jose del Monte) of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas; and Partido Navoteño chair Toby Tiangco (Navotas).
In a press conference on Thursday, Deputy Majority Leader and La Union Rep. Pablo Ortega V said Wednesday night’s “long-planned gathering” was meant to show support for the administration.
Still, he said, “the President was very touched, and [it was clear] that the [manifesto] meant a big deal for him.
Thanks, encouragement
Asked whether there was a repeat of the President’s appeal to his allies not to support the impeachment complaints, Ortega simply said: “None.”
In a television interview, Manila Rep. Joel Chua—the chair of the House good government committee investigating Duterte’s alleged fund misuse of confidential funds—said there was no discussion on impeachment and that Mr. Marcos “just thanked us and encouraged us to continue our jobs.”
Ortega said that there was “no lobbying” for impeachment.
“We have been very focused [on] the hearings, and it remains to be seen whether our findings constitute impeachable (offenses) but I can tell you it has not yet been discussed as a group by the majority until now,” he said.
Two impeachment complaints filed separately accused the Vice President of, among others, misusing P612.5 million in confidential funds and of threatening the President.
Both were filed by civil society groups and endorsed by opposition lawmakers.
Under the 1987 Constitution, a vote of at least one-third of the House—or around 103 of the 307-strong chamber—would be sufficient to affirm a “favorable resolution” with the Articles of Impeachment of the committee or override a “contrary” resolution.
If the verified impeachment complaint is filed by at least one-third of the House members, Duterte would be considered impeached, and this would constitute the Articles of Impeachment that would be sent to the Senate for trial.
Three-fourths of the Senate is needed to convict and oust the Vice President.
Members of the Makabayan bloc on Thursday started gathering at least 106 signatures to the second impeachment complaint this week against Duterte, aiming to immediately send it to the Senate for trial.
Critical test
If all the congressmen who were at the Malacañang party on Wednesday night expressing support for Mr. Marcos signed the complaint, the impeachment would have more than the backing of one-third of the House.
Deputy Minority Leader France Castro, a Makabayan member, said that the impeachment process was a “critical test” of Congress’ commitment to justice and accountability for the country’s highest public officials.
The other Makabayan members are Assistant Minority Leader and Gabriela women’s party Rep. Arlene Brosas and Kabataan party list Rep. Raoul Manuel.
The Makabayan lawmakers endorsed the multi-sector impeachment complaint against Duterte filed on Wednesday by over 70 people citing betrayal of public trust for her alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds of the OVP and DepEd, including P125 million spent in just 11 days in December 2022.
Akbayan party list Rep. Percival Cendaña, who endorsed the first impeachment complaint against Duterte, said that Filipinos were demanding accountability from the Vice President and her ouster.
The first complaint was based on five grounds for impeachment: culpable violation of the Constitution; graft and corruption; bribery; betrayal of public trust; and other high crimes. It cited 24 specific charges.