House: No impeachment agenda vs VP Sara, but complaints will be deliberated

MANILA, Philippines — House leaders clarified on Friday, November 29, that filing an impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte is not part of the lower chamber's agenda.

However, in the case that a complaint is filed, they said it will be deliberated upon as part of their mandate.

Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. (Pampanga, 3rd District), Deputy Speaker David “Jay-Jay” Suarez (Quezon, 2nd District) and House Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe (Zamboanga, 2nd District) issued a joint statement to address claims that the lower chamber is working to impeach the vice president. 

“As we have repeatedly pointed out in media interviews, impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte are not on our agenda,” they said.

While the House of Representatives is conducting an inquiry into the alleged misuse of confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President’s and the Department of Education, the three senior leaders emphasized that the purpose is to "safeguard public trust," not to find grounds for impeaching Duterte.

“Our institution is duty-bound to serve as a check and balance while safeguarding public trust. The Filipino people deserve answers regarding these serious matters, and we aim to fulfill this responsibility without political distractions or divisiveness,” Gonzales, Suarez and Dalipe said.  

Despite the House's claim that no impeachment talks are underway, Rep. Joel Chua (Manila, 3rd District) earlier said that the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability has identified "possible grounds" for Duterte's impeachment — including graft, corruption, and betrayal of public trust.

The Makabayan bloc has also been more upfront about their plans of endorsing an impeachment complaint against the vice president. 

RELATED: Impeachment of VP Sara Duterte needed before plunder raps — House leader

Since Filipino citizens have the right to bring an impeachment complaint to Congress, lawmakers said it should be respected and processed appropriately, even if the president asks them not to endorse it.

According to the 1987 Constitution, the lower chamber has the sole authority to initiate an