taya99 /
House of Representatives Secretary General Reginald Velasco (left) on Monday receives from former senator Leila de Lima the impeachment complaint that civil society groups filed against Vice President Sara Duterte. At right is Akbayan Rep. Percival Cendaña, who endorsed the complaint. (LYN RILLON / INQUIRER)
MANILA, Philippines – The House of Representatives can fast-track the proceedings on the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, if they wish, former senator Leila de Lima said on Tuesday.
De Lima, who also serves as the complainants’ spokesperson, said that despite challenges and time constraints, particularly with many House members preparing for the 2025 midterm elections, they can still expedite the impeachment process if they prioritize it.
Article continues after this advertisement“Naisip po namin ‘yan, na may constraints sa time. Pero ang pananaw ko po is kung gugustuhin nila, gagawan nila ng paraan. Kung gugustuhin nila, pwede nilang i-fast-track,” de Lima stated in a Teleradyo interview.
FEATURED STORIES NEWSINFO COA cites jump in 2023 OVP travel costs NEWSINFO Marcos order vs VP Duterte impeachment wasn’t considered — de Lima NEWSINFO Taal Volcano posts phreatic explosion, spews 2,800-meter grayish plume(We realize that there are time constraints. But my view is that if they really want to, they will find a way. If they want to, they can fast-track it.)
On Monday, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco explained that the impeachment proceeding will take at least 130 days.
Article continues after this advertisementAccording to Velasco, he and House Speaker Martin Romualdez have 10 session days to act on the impeachment complaint.
Article continues after this advertisementAfter which, the House Committee on Rules and the Committee on Justice will each have 60 days to deliberate.
Article continues after this advertisement“All in all, there are 130 days for this process. That’s days only, but some are session days. So that’s what any impeachment complaint would face,” Velasco stated.
De Lima, however, pointed out that the House need not wait for the 10-session-day period to pass before the impeachment complaint can be referred to the proper committees.
Article continues after this advertisement“Pwede naman hindi i-maximize ‘yung period na ‘yan. Pwede nilang bilisan, depende na ‘yan sa determination din nila,” she expressed.
(They don’t have to maximize that period. They can speed it up; it depends on their determination.)
She also mentioned that if the House is willing to act on the complaint promptly, it can file its own resolution of impeachment with the approval of one-third of its members.
“And then alalahanin niyo po, may isang third mode na sa tingin ko mas mabilis, ‘yung diretso na mismo ng Kamara, House of Representatives, na magpasa sila ng sarili nilang resolution of impeachment na aaprubahan ng one-third of their members,” de Lima said.
(And then remember, there’s a third mode that I think is faster, which is directly through the House of Representatives, where they pass their own resolution of impeachment, which can be approved by one-third of their members.)
De Lima, during the interview, reiterated that there are a total of 24 articles of impeachment in their complaint.
Among the 24, she highlighted that the most serious grounds for impeachment include the “misuse of confidential and intelligence funds, unliquidated expenses and cash advances, notices of disallowance and suspension, and charges from the Commission on Audit.”
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
All of which, according to De Lima, are considered acts of graftrich 888, corruption, and even plunder.
READ NEXT AFP says no confirmed threat vs VP Duterte, but vows to give p... Gatchalian to DepEd: Publish IRR of learners with disabilities... EDITORS' PICK Impeach rap filed vs VP gets Akbayan backing COA cites jump in 2023 OVP travel costs Mayor Garcia wants Cebu City to be walkable, less reliant on cars Rufa Mae Quinto breaks silence; asserts innocence amid arrest warrant No record of a 'Mary Grace Piattos' – PSA First Filipina elected to California Assembly sworn into office MOST READ Russian sub in West PH Sea conducted no suspicious activities – AFP Sofronio Vasquez belts out 'If I Can Dream,' aims for 'The Voice' US Top 5 spot Second impeachment rap vs VP Duterte to be filed Wednesday – Bayan Earth tilted 31.5 inches due to massive groundwater pumping Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments