VP impeach case still not referred to Speaker

MANILA, Philippines — The impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte have yet to begin in the House of Representatives as Speaker Faustino Dy III admitted that his office has yet to receive the two complaints.

The Speaker said the two impeachment suits filed by the Makabayan bloc and civil society group-led Tindig Pilipinas have remained in the office of House secretary-general Cheloy Garafil.

Nevertheless, House justice committee vice chair San Juan Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora assured the public that lawmakers will strictly adhere and comply with the House impeachment rules that they had set.

“We will take this one at a time. We haven’t received and read it (VP impeachment complaint) yet. But of course we promise to do it in accordance with the House rules (on impeachment cases),” Zamora said.

Duterte early this week faced two impeachment complaints before the House, where Tindig Pilipinas co-convenor Kiko Aquino-Dee – a nephew of the late president Noynoy Aquino – attached as evidence the claims of Duterte’s alleged bagman that he delivered huge amounts of money to her trusted aide.

The Tindig Pilipinas suit, which had a total of 17 complainants, made use of the affidavit executed by Duterte’s self-confessed bagman Ramil Madriaga, who claimed the Vice President’s May 2022 campaign was bankrolled by Chinese-operated Philippine offshore gaming operators and drug syndicates.

“Madriaga’s testimony warrants a full investigation. His statements corroborate our worst fears about the Vice President’s spending of public funds for personal use. Therefore, it becomes the solemn duty of citizens and public officials alike to seek accountability,” Dee declared.

Madriaga, currently detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig, has disclosed that Duterte allegedly “instructed” him to deliver large sums of money, apparently from dubious sources, to her trusted security aide.

“We have to prove that our democracy is strong enough to hold the Dutertes to account. No dynasty, no sitting official, and no office is above the law. The Dutertes’ culture of impunity must end now,” Dee maintained.

Duterte has since denied her alleged links to Madriaga, but the latter’s lawyer – Raymond Palad of the Palad Lauron Palad & Te Law Office – claims otherwise. Palad disclosed they also have evidence that Duterte “visited” Madriaga in Camp Bagong Diwa, ostensibly dissuading him from his expose.

Meanwhile, the Makabayan bloc’s suit was led by three former militant lawmakers – lawyer Neri Colmenares of Bayan Muna, France Castro of ACT Teachers and Arlene Brosas of women’s group Gabriela.  –  Jose Rodel Clapano