
MANILA – House of Representatives’ Secretary General Reginald Velasco said the three impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio late last year have all been verified.
According to Velasco, the complaints, which are all connected with the alleged misuse of confidential funds, are ready for transmission anytime.
“As soon as the complaints were filed, pinag-aralan agad ng legal department namin. So as of today, verified na lahat ‘yun, ‘yung tatlo,” Velasco said. “Puwede nang i-transmit anytime.”
Velasco plans to transmit the three complaints on Thursday to the office of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, who will have 10 days to include these in the House plenary’s Order of Business.
In turn, the plenary will have three days to refer the complaints to the House justice committee.
Velasco also mentioned that the current situation was unique in that there was more than one impeachment complaint filed, and there were members of the House of Representatives who asked the Secretary General for more time to either file another impeachment complaint or endorse one of the three already filed.
“One way or another, I have to transmit the complaint or complaints to the Office of the Speaker. Parang ano na ‘yun, negligence on my part if I will not act on these complaints,” Velasco said.
Last December, Duterte-Carpio said she welcomed the filing of impeachment complaints against her because only she is the subject of the supposed attacks and do not include her former and current colleagues at the Office of the Vice President and Department of Education.
The Vice President added that the impeachment hearing would also provide her the opportunity to finally answer allegations against her./PN