Marcos remarks weaken impeachment push vs Sara -solon

House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Representative France Castro stated on Saturday that President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s remarks have weakened the push to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte.

"Tingin ko ang isa sa mga factor na nagpapahina sa atin ay ang mga statement ni Presidente. Sorry po ah, kasi sinasabi ni Presidente ay hindi raw napapanahon ng impeachment," Castro said at a pro-impeachment rally at the EDSA People Power Monument in Quezon City.

(I believe one factor that weakens our efforts is the President's statements. Apologies, but the President is saying that impeachment is untimely.)

Castro rejected the idea that the impeachment process lacked time, noting that three impeachment complaints had already been filed since December.

"Hindi ko masasabi na kulang sa panahon," she said.

(I cannot say that time is insufficient.)

All three impeachment complaints revolve around allegations of misuse of confidential funds.

House Secretary General Reginald Velasco is set to transmit the complaints to Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez’s office, who will then have 10 days to include them in the House plenary's Order of Business. 

Once referred to the plenary, they will have three days to forward the complaints to the House Justice Committee.

"Kaya ang pagpapanagot kay Sara Duterte ay wala sa sinasabing panahon. Kung gugustuhin, talagang mangyayari po itong impeachment na ito," Castro said at the rally.

(Holding Sara Duterte accountable is not a matter of timing. If Congress is determined, this impeachment can proceed.)

In a Saturday 24 Oras Weekend report by Jonathan Andal, Castro also mentioned that they were awaiting a possible fourth impeachment complaint from the House majority bloc.

GMA Integrated News is seeking comments from the Palace and the Vice President and her representatives on the issue.

Marcos had previously emphasized that he believed it was not the right time to initiate an impeachment process.

“But I still think that even if we – even if Congress is mandated to process these… Congress doesn’t have… The House doesn’t have a choice, and the Senate doesn’t have a choice once these impeachment complaints are filed,” he said.

He noted practical challenges, including the upcoming campaign period.

“Well, I don't think that now is the time to go through that. So, ipaubaya na muna natin sa ating… tutal as a practical matter, papasok na tayo sa campaign period,” he said.

(Let us leave it for now, as we are about to enter the campaign period.)

“Wala ng congressman, wala ng senador dahil nangangampanya na sila. Hindi tayo makakapagbuo ng quorum. And so, as a practical matter, the timing is very poor,” he added.

(There will be no congressmen or senators available since they will be campaigning. We won’t be able to form a quorum.)

However, House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability Chair and Manila Representative Joel Chua refuted suggestions that congressmen were losing interest in the impeachment.

"It is just a bit challenging, especially for lawmakers whose districts are far from Metro Manila," Chua explained.

These representatives must balance campaigning in their districts and traveling to Manila for impeachment proceedings, which poses logistical challenges.

"More so for senatorial candidates, who need to campaign across the country," he added. — DVM, GMA Integrated News