VP Sara welcomes impeachment complaints

Vice President Sara Duterte said she welcomes the impeachment complaints filed against her.

"I welcome that finally na-file na 'yung impeachment case na sinasabi nila na ifile nila since last year pa,” Duterte said in Argil Relator’s Monday report on 24 Oras.

(I welcome the impeachment case filed against me, which they have been saying they will file since last year.)

This was Duterte’s reaction after two impeachment complaints were filed against her in the House of Representatives.

“So, okay din 'yung impeachment case dahil ako lang ang tinitira doon, ako lang iniimbestigahan noon. Ako lang ang inaatake ng impeachment case. Hindi na kasali ang nga kasamahan ko sa OVP and mga dati kong kasama sa DepEd. Masagot na ng final kung ano 'yung mga inaakusa nila sa akin,” Duterte said.

(So, it’s okay they filed an impeachment case since I’ll only be the one who's being attacked. I’ll only be the one who's being investigated. I’ll only be the one who is being attacked in the impeachment case. My staff in the Office of the Vice President and Department of Education will no longer be involved. I can finally answer what they are accusing me of.)

The grounds of the impeachment complaint include the issues surrounding the use of confidential funds in her offices and her “assassination” remarks against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The filing of impeachment complaints pushed through despite the President’s opposition.

The Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) also held a rally to oppose impeachment moves against the Vice President.

"Naiintindihan ko na gusto ng INC ng kapayapaan sa ating bansa dahil alam nila na kapag merong kapayapaan susunod din 'yung kaunlaran ng ating bansa kaya naintindihan ko 'yung pagsuporta nila sa opisina ng ating Pangulo, sa opisina ng Office of the Vice President kasi 'yun din naman ang gusto ng lahat ng mga kababayan natin na mayroong kapayapaan at merong tuluy-tuloy na kaunlaran sa ating bansa," Duterte said.

(I understand that the INC wants peace in our country because they know that when there is peace,  development will follow. So, I understand their support for the office of our President and the Office of the Vice President because our countrymen also want peace and continuous prosperity in our country.)

As the House Good Government and Public Accountability panel concludes its hearing on the use of confidential funds in Duterte’s offices, the Vice President said her staff can now rest easy.

Duterte also said she could not attend the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) probe on Dec. 11.

Last Nov. 29, Duterte failed to show up to the NBI in line with her alleged threat to the President's life.

"Ang pagkakaintindi ko sa explanation ng mga abogado ko sa investigation ng NBI ay pwede namang hindi pumunta. Pwede naman magsubmit nalang daw ng sulat or affidavit. Pangalawa meron kaming thanksgiving na mga activities sa December 11, at pangatlo after ng thanks giving activities namin ay pauwi din ako dito sa Davao City para maglibing ng uncle ko," Duterte said.

(As per my understanding of my lawyer’s explanation of the NBI’s investigation, I’m allowed not to attend and just submit an affidavit. Second, we have thanksgiving activities on December 11, and third after the thanksgiving activities, I’ll go back to Davao City for my uncle’s burial.) —Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News