Makabayan still hopeful impeach raps vs VP Duterte will be tackled

MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc have expressed optimism that the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte can still be discussed despite Congress having three session days left before it adjourns for the Christmas holidays.

ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro in an online press briefing on Friday was asked regarding the fate of the first two impeachment complaints, as it has been 11 days since the raps were filed.

According to Castro, it seems that lawmakers are waiting for developments and instructions from party leaders, as they anticipate that a third complaint would be filed before session adjourns.

“The attitude now of our colleagues seems to be to wait and see for the third impeachment complaint, because they are expecting another complaint so that these will be endorsed to the House Speaker jointly,” Castro told reporters in Filipino.

“This is the attitude that I’m seeing, because we know that in the House, they go with the decision of their party.  That’s why we are waiting for the decision of their parties as to which of the impeachment complaints would be supported so that it will be quickly transmitted to the Senate,” she added in a mix of Filipino and English.

The third impeachment complaint is the same complaint rumored to be originating from religious groups.  Last December 5, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco confirmed that the impeachment complaints have not been forwarded to the Office of the Speaker as other sectors are expected to file their petition too.

READ: Impeachment complaints vs VP Duterte not yet sent to Romualdez – House 

Despite time limitations, Castro believes that if party leaders would will it, tackling the impeachment complaints would be quick.

“But we heard, based on talks, there is a third impeachment complaint coming from the majority of religious groups.  So we also do not know what religious group that is, so we will wait for it maybe by Monday or Tuesday,” she said.

“Well, if the parties decide to go for an impeachment complaint, this will be quick because we can do it even after Christmas, if there would be a special session even during the recess, it can be done if they will be united about it.  Because they are just waiting for the decision of the Majority.  So if it’s time, I think we have the time,” she added in Filipino.

Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel also believes that lawmakers, especially those from the Majority, are still gauging the political climate and the feasibility of an impeachment rap against Duterte up in the Senate.

“I think aside from the lawmakers who endorsed the first two impeachment complaints, no other lawmaker has been proactive to come forward and support the impeachment in public because they are gauging its feasibility, if it can be fast-tracked by next week,” he said in Filipino.

“This is in accordance with our Constitution and our House rules, that we can directly file complaints if one-third or over 100 plus lawmakers come forward to file a resolution.  So maybe the Majority is ensuring that it has the numbers so that everything will be smooth sailing, and because this is automatically approved by the House, the impeachment would move to the Senate,” he added in a mix of Filipino and English.

READ: First impeachment complaint vs VP Sara filed at House 

Castro, Manuel, and Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas endorsed the second impeachment complaint against Duterte.  This was filed before the House last December 4, by over 70 members of different progressive organizations led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan).

READ: VP Sara Duterte faces 2nd impeachment rap 

Two days before that, 16 civil society group representatives went to the House also to file the first-ever impeachment complaint