House spox insists: No solon paid, forced to sign impeachment case

The House of Representatives has insisted that none of the 215 lawmakers who filed and signed the fourth impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte was paid or forced to do so, after the latter raised this allegation anew. SARA DUTERTE composite image from INQUIRER FILE

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has insisted that none of the 215 lawmakers who filed and signed the fourth impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte was paid or forced to do so, after the latter raised this allegation anew.

In a press briefing on Wednesday, House spokesperson Princess Abante stated that when lawmakers signed the complaint on February 5, they read and understood the articles of impeachment before it was referred to the House plenary.

Abantewas asked about Duterte’s recent comments, in which she reiterated past accusations that lawmakers were coerced or promised sums of money to sign the complaint, implying that they did not read the articles before doing so.

READ: Sara Duterte: Fight vs impeachment bid is ‘right, true’

“No’ng sila ay pumirma at sumumpa, kasama dito ‘yong pagsasabi na sila ay, binasa nila at naintindihan nila at pinapatunayan nila na sila ay sang-ayon para ituloy ang impeachment laban kay Vice President Sara at i-transmit ito sa Senado,” Abante noted.

(When they signed and took an oath, this includes an understanding that they read and understood the complaints, and that they agree with the move to push through with the impeachment of Vice President Sara, and that this be transmitted to the Senate.)

“Tungkol naman sa may nakuhang favor o bayad ang ating mga representante, naniniwala ako na ‘yon 200-plus na Congressmen na pumirma doon sa impeachment ay pumirma hindi para sa halaga o anumang pabor na makukaha pero para sa sarili nilang paninindihan,” she added.

(Regarding concerns that our lawmakers received some favor or money, I believe that the 200-plus lawmakers who signed the impeachment did so not for any amount or favor that they may get, but because of their convictions.)

Abante speculated that the Duterte camp may have been too accustomed to paying their allies off just so they would move in their favor.

“Baka masyado na silang nasanay na lahat ng galaw ng kanilang mga kakampi ay kailangan may bayad, pero dito sa Kongreso, dito sa Kamara, hindi ganyan ang mga miyembro ng Kamara na kailangan bayaran para gumalaw,” she claimed.

(Maybe they are too accustomed to having to pay their allies just so they would move, but here in Congress, members of the House do not have to be paid for them to take decisive steps.)

“Ang importante, meron silang (lawmakers) integrity, at meron silang paninindigan sa kanilang mga decision,” she added.

(The important thing is that they have integrity and that they stand by the decisions that they make.)

Duterte was impeached last February 5, after 215 lawmakers filed and signed a verified impeachment complaint against her.  At least 25 more lawmakers expressed support for the complaints but were unable to affix their signatures to the document.

Duterte’s impeachment was hinged on different issues, like allegations of confidential fund misuse within her offices, which were uncovered during the hearing of the House committee on good government and public accountability, and threats to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Romualdez assassinated.

After the House declared Duterte impeached, the articles of impeachment were immediately sent to the Senate, as Article XI, Section 3(4) of the 1987 Constitution states that a trial should proceed forthwith if one-third of House members file the complaint.

As one-third of 306 House members is 102, the requirement was fulfilled.  However, the trial did not start as the articles of impeachment were not sent to the Senate plenary before the session adjourned for the election season break.

And when the proceedings were supposed to start last June 3, the Senate eventually approved a motion to remand the articles back to the House, due to alleged constitutional infirmities.

The House prosecution team, however, said that they will defer acceptance of the returned articles and will file a motion seeking clarification, as one of the Senate’s requests — a certification from the 20th Congress that they will pursue the impeachment — cannot be complied with now./coa

The 20th Congress convenes on July 28.