By Filane Mikee Cervantes | Philippine News Agency
A leader of the House of Representatives on Tuesday emphasized the importance of accountability in the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte but urged Congress to focus on urgent legislative tasks, citing President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s appeal to avoid distractions.
In a press conference, House Deputy Majority Leader, Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre, said that while the House has a constitutional duty to act on an impeachment complaint, it is important to balance it with ongoing legislative work.
“Definitely, we are all for accountability. But then again, katulad ng sinabi ng ating Pangulo, ang mahalaga din dito ay hindi tayo ma-distract sa ibang mahahalagang gawain ng inyong Kongreso. Nandiyan pa ho ang pag-ratify ng ating budget. Nandiyan pa po ang mga naiiwang batas… ’yong legislative agenda ng administrasyong ito,” Acidre said.
He said the House leadership would still work on the timeline because considerations must be made, not just regarding the impeachment proceedings in the House, but also the Senate’s readiness to hold a trial.
“That being the case, this will be a careful balancing act on the part of the leadership and the part of the House. Of course, the leadership has yet to give their definite guidance on the matter, but nonetheless, I think most of us members of Congress are one in saying we are ready to undertake our constitutionally-bound duty to tackle the impeachment complaint,” Acidre said.
Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman said she is not personally inclined to push for an impeachment process.
She clarified that the President is not interfering with Congress but reminding lawmakers of pressing issues.
Roman detailed the procedural requirements of an impeachment complaint.
“It has to go through the entire process—from filing to referral to the [House] justice committee, deliberations, voting, and, if approved, referral to the Senate,” she said.
Citing the 2012 impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona, Roman noted it took about four and a half months.
“Do we have the material time to process this complaint?” Roman said, arguing that it remains uncertain whether the complaint could be resolved efficiently given that the congressional calendar is constrained by holiday breaks and the upcoming election year.
The complaint filed on Monday was endorsed by Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña to the House, citing culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, bribery, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes as grounds for impeachment.