The Manila Times
MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives on Tuesday evening referred to its Committee on Rules the impeachment articles endorsed by the House Committee on Justice against Vice President Sara Duterte. The Rules Committee is responsible for setting the Order and Calendar of Business in the chamber. The House plenary is expected to vote on Monday, May 11, on whether to transmit the impeachment articles to the Senate for trial. Under the 1987 Constitution, at least one-third of all House members—currently equivalent to 106 lawmakers—must vote either to affirm the committee’s favorable resolution with the Articles of Impeachment or to override a contrary resolution. In a media interview on Monday, Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima said the committee approved four impeachment articles. These reportedly include allegations of misuse or abuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, and bribery. Another article concerns Duterte’s alleged “kill remarks” against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Leyte 1st District Rep. and former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez. Duterte has denied making any assassination threat. In her response to the complaints, she argued that they failed to present “any shred of proof” that a contract to kill existed, adding that complainants relied on “exaggerated conclusions dressed up as fact.” “Absent any statement of ultimate facts in any of these impeachment complaints, there is nothing for respondent to answer,” her reply stated. She said she only admits to statements regarding her election as Vice President, her assumption of office, her appointment as Secretary of Education, and her prior roles as mayor and vice mayor of Davao City. “All other allegations, including the annexes and so-called evidence attached to the impeachment complaints, are specifically denied for being false, misleading, impertinent, and mere conclusions of fact and law,” her response added.
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