Several House of Representatives leaders are hesitant to address the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte before the May elections.
Manila 6th District Rep. Benny Abante, in an interview with Storycon on One News, revealed that most House leaders agree on deferring discussions until after the elections or the end of the current Congress. “With the elections so near, it’s better to file the impeachment complaints in the new Congress,” Abante said.
Three impeachment complaints have been filed against Duterte, citing alleged irregularities in her use of confidential funds as Vice President and Education Secretary. Despite this, House leaders appear disinclined to proceed with the cases, according to Abante.
Meanwhile, the House quad committee plans to continue investigating other issues, including alleged corruption linked to Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs). The committee aims to involve banks and the Anti-Money Laundering Council to trace financial transactions potentially tied to POGOs.
As Congress resumes, activists and lawmakers, including ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro, criticized the recent Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) rally, which drew over a million participants, as a tactic to shield Duterte from accountability. Castro emphasized that the rally cannot dismiss the need for transparency in the use of public funds.
Militant groups like PAMALAKAYA also urged lawmakers to pursue impeachment proceedings despite political pressures. PAMALAKAYA vice chair Ronnel Arambulo accused the rally of being a political maneuver to protect the Duterte family.
In a separate development, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has completed its probe into Duterte’s alleged threats against President Marcos and other officials. The Department of Justice is now evaluating whether the evidence warrants a deeper investigation.
Duterte denied making threats, claiming her controversial statements during a November press conference were misinterpreted. The DOJ stated that further assessments would determine the next steps in the investigation.
