Sara Duterte on impeachment: Many congressmen use my name for money

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte alleged that many congressmen are using her name for money, particularly in connection with her ongoing impeachment case.

Duterte said this when asked about the sentiments of some lawmakers who are confident they already have more than 180 votes, enough to meet the required number to elevate the impeachment case to the Senate.

READ: 2 House leaders see enough votes to impeach Sara Duterte 

“So, many are making money using my name,” Duterte said in an interview at The Hague, Netherlands on Thursday, May 7 (Netherlands time). “I wish they would sprinkle their constituents’ the money in their pockets or suitcases.”

READ: Sara Duterte impeachment backed by 215 lawmakers – Ridon

On Wednesday, Assistant Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the pro-impeachment bloc had already secured 180 votes.

Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno echoed Adiong’s remark, adding that he thinks that 180 is a good number.

Meanwhile, Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon said on Thursday that at least 215 lawmakers have already signaled their support for Duterte’s impeachment.

At least 106 votes, or one-third of the House, are needed to affirm the articles of impeachment from the committee and to turn them over to the Senate, as per Article XI, Section 3(3) of the 1987 Constitution.

House members are expected to hold their plenary vote on the case on Monday, May 11.

Amid the impeachment issue, Duterte is currently in The Hague, Netherlands, visiting her father, former President Duterte who is detained at the International Criminal Court’s detention center over his ongoing “crimes against humanity” case related to his administration’s bloody war against illegal drugs.

Malacañang granted the vice president a travel authority, allowing her to be out of the country from April 23 to May 15 to visit the Netherlands, South Korea, Belgium, Germany, and the United Kingdom. /das