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2nd impeachment complaint vs VP Sara
By Nidz Godino
“We call on Congress to act swiftly on this impeachment complaint… Filipino people, especially our taxpayers who bear burden of funding government operations, deserve accountability from their second highest official,”former Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño said few days after first, second impeachment complaint was filed against Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio on Wednesday, December 4.
However, second complaint only cited betrayal of public trust as ground for impeachment, in contrast to first complaint, included graft and corruption, bribery, and other high crimes.
Similar grounds were referenced in second complaint filed by over 70 complainants from various civil society groups, including marginalized, labor, peasant, environmental, student and rights organizations.
Lawmakers from Makabayan bloc endorsed impeachment complaint, sworn in before House Secretary General Reginal Velasco. Endorsing lawmakers were Rep. Raoul Manuel (Kabataan Partylist), Rep. Arlene Brosas (Gabriela Women’s Party), and Rep. France Castro (ACT Teachers Partylist).
Casiño said in statement reason for citing betrayal of public trust stems from alleged “abuse, misuse, and wastage” of P612.5 million in confidential and intelligence funds from Duterte’s offices, Office of the Vice President (OVP) and, previously, Department of Education (DepEd).
This includes “red flags” found in accounting of confidential funds through accomplishment reports and acknowledgment receipts.
Casiño stressed Duterte’s “attempt” to “obstruct” congressional investigation into use of her offices’ confidential fund by directing Commission on Audit to disregard subpoena for reports on OVP and DepEd.
During their press conference, former Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, one of the complainants, said they decided to cite betrayal of public trust as only ground because it is “all encompassing.”
At the same time, he explained having single ground for impeachment could fast-track process, saying it could even be done in just one month.
Colmenares compared it to 2012 impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona, lasted about four months due to three grounds and eight articles it had to tackle.
| Articles of impeachmentverafilesTHE verified complaint containing the eight articles of impeachment that the House of Representatives transmitte… |
Casiño agreed with Colmenares’ reasoning, saying there is need to expedite impeachment of the vice president.
“One ground, three acts…hindi magtatagal ito…because there is that factor na nagmamadali tayo…eh kailangan lang naman sa impeachment with one act, one ground to impeach high official,” he said.
Meanwhile, Brosas said impeachment complaints serve to remind lawmakers of Filipino people’s call, especially in light of findings from congressional probe into Duterte’s alleged misuse of confidential funds.
It is not meant to dictate like President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s appeal to Congress not to proceed with any impeachment against Duterte.
“Ang sinasabi natin dito separation of powers…dito dapat tumindig ang Kongreso,”she said.
Casiño reiterated that there is “system of checks and balances,” and Congress is challenged to fulfill its “mandate-bound duty” to process impeachment complaint despite Marcos’ request.
House lawmakers also said in several statements and press conferences that while lower has no agenda to impeach the vice president, they will still deliberate on any complaints filed.
Complaints should be referred to Committee on Justice for deliberation, followed by discussion at plenary.
For an impeachment case to proceed to Senate for trial, House of Representatives requires at least one-third vote of its more than 300 lawmakers.
ISKUP! 