Impeachment is ‘sole prerogative’ of House —Bersamin

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will not interfere with the impeachment cases filed against Vice President Sara Duterte as it is the sole prerogative of the House of Representatives, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said Monday.

“The power to initiate and act on impeachment complaints is the sole prerogative of the House of Representatives,” Bersamin told reporters.

“Out of respect for institutions, the President will not interfere in a matter over which a co-equal branch has exclusive jurisdiction,” he added.

Earlier today, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said he will transmit the three impeachment complaints filed against Duterte to the Office of the Speaker this week. 

The impeachment complaints, all linked to the alleged misuse of confidential funds, were filed and endorsed late last year at the House of Representatives.

Duterte said she welcomes the impeachment complaint filed against her. 

ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Women's Party Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel of the Makabayan bloc earlier condemned the "unprecedented delay" in processing the impeachment complaints. 

They attributed the delay to the President, saying that he told his allies not to file an impeachment complaint as it was not important.

In response, Bersamin clarified that Marcos was expressing his position and not blocking the lower house.

Marcos has expressed belief that ousting Duterte from power would not benefit the lives of Filipinos. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News