Makabayan bloc to file impeachment case vs VP Sara Duterte

The Makabayan bloc is set to file an impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, Kabataan Party-list Representative Raoul Manuel said Tuesday.

Manuel said the coalition is still in talks with people’s organizations in relation to the second impeachment complaint, which may be filed with the House of Representatives within the week.

“Mayroon tayong mga leaders ng iba’t ibang organizations na naghahabol na gusto maging bahagi ng complainants,” Manuel said in a press briefing.

(Leaders from various organizations are eager to be included as complainants.)

“Ganon na ka-pursigido ‘yung iba’t ibang mga sectors na maging bahagi ng pagsisimula nitong formal proceedings ng impeachment. Hanggat kaya gusto namin ma-entertain sila…para pag na-file natin malapad ang representation ng iba’t ibang grupo at sectors na kasama,” he said.

(That’s how determined they are to be involved in the initiation of these formal impeachment proceedings. As much as possible, we want to accommodate them so that when we file, we have broad representation from various groups and sectors involved.)

BAYAN said around 50 representatives will lead the filing of the impeachment complaint against Duterte on Wednesday afternoon over alleged corruption and misuse of her offices’ confidential funds. 

On Monday, advocacy groups including civil society organizations, religious leaders, sectoral representatives, and families of victims of extrajudicial killings filed an impeachment complaint against Duterte.

The complaint, which stemmed from Duterte’s alleged culpable violations of the Constitution, graft and corruption, bribery, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes, was endorsed by Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña.

Manuel said the grounds for the impeachment case the coalition will endorse includes the fund utilization of the OVP and the Department of Education, as well as Duterte’s alleged “disrespect” for the House of Representatives during legislative hearings.

“Optimistic ako na mayroong sapat na panahon…Ang session ng Congress, magre-resume siya by January 13 after ng Holiday break. May ganoong panahon para sa mga senador na upuan ang impeachment complaint na ifforward ng Kamara assuming na maisisulong sya,” said Manuel.

(I am optimistic that there is enough time. The Congress will resume session on January 13 after the holiday break. There will be time for the senators to address the impeachment complaint forwarded by the House, assuming it will be pursued.)

“We owe it to the people. Trabaho natin ‘yung asikasuhin ang kahit anumang impeachment complaint na mai-file,” he said.

(We owe it to the people. It is our job to handle any impeachment complaint that may be filed.)

Representatives Geraldine Roman and Jude Acidre said the lower chamber will process the impeachment complaint against Duterte as it is part of their constitutional mandate.

Earlier, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the Office of the President has nothing to do with the impeachment complaint.

“The impeachment complaint filed in the House of Representatives by several private citizens is clearly the complainants’ independent initiative, and its endorsement the prerogative of any Member of the House of Representatives,” Bersamin said.

“The Office of the President has nothing to do with it,” he added.

The impeachment plans against Duterte rose after she said that she would have Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez killed if she herself was assassinated.

She later clarified that her “kill” remark was taken out of logical context.

However, her statement drew criticisms from several government officials and even legal experts. — Sundy Locus and Giselle Ombay/BAP, GMA Integrated News