Two months later, House to move forward with VP Sara’s impeachment this week
MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives has little time left to act on the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte, with Congress set to adjourn later this week.
House Secretary General Reginald Velasco, however, assured on Monday, February 3, that action would be taken before the break. It has been two months since the first impeachment complaint against Duterte was filed.
“It’s still with me but we have to act on it this week. We will act on it this week. Itong week na ito ‘yung deadline (This week will be the deadline),” he said in an ambush interview.
Congress will suspend sessions on February 7, ahead of the campaign period for the 2025 midterm elections. It will resume on June 2, leaving lawmakers with less than two weeks before the final adjournment.
Why the delay? Earlier this year, Velasco explained he was waiting for a possible fourth complaint, which he had received reports about, so he could submit it to the House speaker along with the other three.
He said some lawmakers, whom he declined to name, needed more time to decide whether to endorse it.
RELATED: Solons seek 'more time' to endorse impeachment complaint vs VP Sara
Asked about the status of the supposed fourth complaint, Velasco said he had yet to receive it and that no additional lawmakers had endorsed any of the existing complaints.
“We have not received a fourth complaint or additional endorsers of the three complaints,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.
“I think we have given them enough time, so we will have to transmit the impeachment complaints within this week,” he added.
Makabayan lawmakers have criticized the delay, suggesting that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s opposition to the impeachment could have influenced the process.
RELATED: Marcos ‘not blocking’ impeachment efforts vs VP Sara, says Palace
Although Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin denied the claims of Marcos blocking impeachment efforts, the president himself previously confirmed having asked House members not to file complaints against Duterte.
Despite the limited time left before adjournment, Velasco said the process could still be expedited if enough House members