House leadership urged to act on impeachment complaints vs. VP Sara 

Deputy Minority Leader France Castro has called on the House leadership to act on the impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte by forwarding it to the Office of Speaker Martin Romualdez for referral to the justice panel.

The three impeachment complaints filed against the Vice President remained in the Office of Secretary General Reginald Velasco since December 2024. Castro and fellow party-list Reps. Arlene Brosas of Gabriela and Raoul Manuel of Kabataan endorsed the second complaint filed by left-leaning organizations.

“Ang balita namin, naron pa rin sa Office of the Secretary General. Dapat nga aksyonan na ito ng leadership. Kasi kung wala nang inaantay na another complaint...kasi ang taong bayan talagang nagaantay na nitong impeachmnet proceedings,” Castro told reporters.

(What we know is that these complaints are still there in the Office of the Secretary General. The House leadership should take action. If there are no additional complaints expected to be filed...the people are waiting for the impeachment proceedings to start.

Duterte had said she never misused public funds and that the impeachment was a political attack against her.

Castro then said that the House leadership should not be swayed by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. 's previous statement discouraging House members from pursuing impeachment against the Vice President, as well as other religious groups that may not favor such action.

“Baka kasi nagpapadala ang leadership doon sa sinasabi ni President Marcos at saka’ ‘yung mga banta ng ilang mga religious groups kaugnay doon sa posisyon nila sa impeachment. Gusto natin talaga maparusahan ang opisyal na gumagawa ng katiwalian o corruption sa pondo ng mamamayan,” Castro said.

(We are afraid the House members are being swayed by what the President said, and religious groups are against the impeachment. We need to punish those who misuse public funds.)

Based on House Rules, a verified complaint for impeachment either filed by a member of the House or by any citizen/s which is endorsed by any House member should be filed before the Office of the House Secretary General and “immediately referred to the Speaker.” 

The same House Rules said that the Speaker would then have it included in the Order of Business within 10 session days from receipt.

The impeachment complaint will be referred to the committee on justice within three session days thereafter.

The first verified impeachment complaint against Duterte, endorsed by Akbayan party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña, was filed on December 2, 2024.

The second complaint was filed two days later on December 4, 2024.

The third verified impeachment complaint was filed by lawyers and the Catholic clergy on December 19, 2024.

The House and the Senate adjourned session last December 18, 2024 for the Christmas holiday break.

Congress’ session will resume on January 13.

GMA News Online sought the reaction of the Speaker and will post his response once available.—LDF, GMA Integrated News