House: Lawmakers backing Sara Duterte impeachment now at 240
VP Sara Duterte composite image from Inquirer, AP file photos
MANILA, Philippines — The number of lawmakers backing Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment is now at 240 after 25 more legislators signed and endorsed the complaint.
House of Representatives Secretary General Reginald Velasco confirmed this on Friday, two days after the chamber impeached Duterte with 215 lawmakers signing the fourth impeachment complaint.
Velasco said the 25 lawmakers were unable to be physically present during the initial oath-taking and verification of the impeachment complaint due to commitments abroad or with their constituents.
Verified signatures have been sent to the House so that they can formalize their support for Duterte’s impeachment.
The 25 lawmakers are the following:
Article continues after this advertisement- Biñan Rep. Marlyn Alonte
- Cagayan Rep. Ramon Nolasco Jr.
- Deputy Speaker and Isabela Rep. Tonypet Albano
- Lanao del Norte Rep. Mohamad Khalid Dimaporo
- Leyte Rep. Carl Nicolas Cari
- Masbate Rep. Richard Kho
- Masbate Rep. Olga Kho
- Masbate Rep. Wilton Kho
- Negros Occidental Rep. Emilio Bernardino Yulo
- Quirino Rep. Midy Cua
- Sultan Kudarat Rep. Princess Rihan Sakaluran
- Pangasinan Rep. Ramon Guico Jr.
- Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co
- Pangasinan Rep. Arthur Celeste
- Cavite Rep. Adrian Jay Advincula
- Tarlac Rep. Noel Rivera
- Tarlac Rep. Christian Tell Yap
- Oriental Mindoro Rep. Alfonso Umali Jr.
- Ako Bisaya party-list Rep. Sonny Lagon
- GP party-list Rep. Jose Gay Padiernos
- Ako Ilocano Ako party-list Rep. Richelle Singson
- Kabayan party-list Rep. Ron Salo
- Sagip party-list Rep. Caroline Tanchay
- Abono party-list Rep. Robert Raymund Estrella
- ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Edvic Yap.
According to Velasco, it is up to the Senate as to what it would do with the additional signatories because while the Articles of Impeachment was sent to the Senate, the upper chamber has not convened yet.
Article continues after this advertisementUnder the 1987 Constitution, an impeachment complaint could be immediately forwarded to the Senate for trial if over one-third of all House members — 102 out of 306 — have signed and endorsed the petition.
READ: House impeaches VP Sara Duterte, fast-tracking transmittal to Senate
There were seven articles of impeachment in the verified complaint sent to the Senate:
- Betrayal of public trust, commission of high crimes due to her threats to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez
- Betrayal of public trust and graft and corruption due to misuse of the confidential funds of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Office of the Vice President
- Betrayal of public trust and bribery within the DepEd
- Violation of the 1987 Constitution and betrayal of public trust due to unexplained wealth and failure to disclose assets
- Commission of high crimes, due to involvement in extrajudicial killings in the drug war
- Betrayal of public trust due to alleged destabilization plots and high crimes of sedition and insurrection
- Betrayal of public trust due to her unbecoming conduct as Vice President
