No rules violated in VP Sara impeachment —House exec insists

The House of Representatives today confirmed that it has received the Supreme Court resolution asking for additional information and documents related to the petitions on the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, and that it shall comply.

"We confirm receipt of the notice sent by the Supreme Court yesterday, July 10, 2025. The matter has been forwarded to appropriate offices and has taken note of the directive of the court," House Secretary General Reginald Velasco told GMA Integrated News.

"We will see kung ano yung order ng Supreme Court. Pag-aaralan ng legal department. We will also consult the prosecution team kung ano yung isasagot sa any order from the Supreme Court," he added.

"The House of Representatives and Secretary-General Reginald S. Velasco, as respondents in the said petitions, have been required to submit the additional information enumerated in the Resolution, and will comply accordingly," House Spokesperson Atty Princess Abante said in a statement.

"We have already referred the Resolution to the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), as our counsel, and shall coordinate closely with the OSG to ensure the submission of the required information within the non-extendible period of ten (10) days provided by the Supreme Court," she added.

Velasco also maintained that his office did not violate the Rules on Impeachment when he did not immediately transmit the first three impeachment complaints to the Office of the Speaker.

"Wala. Kasi nga under our rules kasi, yung impeachment complaint will stay with the Office of the SecGen and then will be referred at the time na okay na," Velasco explained.

"Wala naman kasi timeline din yung from the SecGen to the Speaker," he added.

Velasco also explained that several members of the House of Representatives had asked him for additional time to file their impeachment complaint.

"Nagpahintay yung ibang congressman na huwag munang i-refer kay Speaker kasi nga meron pa silang complaint na mas maraming mage-endorse because of the time constraint, di ba? Pag ni-refer kasi yung, I mean if we follow the timeline, refer kay Speaker, refer sa (Committee on) Rules, and then refer sa (Committee on)) Justice. Remember sa Justice 60 days yon so masyado matagal yung proseso. So they requested me na maghintay lang for another complaint which will be endorsed by the required one-third," he said.

Velasco also maintained that even though the Rules on Impeachment provide that he should immediately transmit the verified complaint to the Office of the Speaker, the rules do not specify a specific time frame.

"Immediate. Pero wala rin time yon. Parang yung sa forthwith yon, di ba? Sa forthwith, wala rin timeline doon eh. Trial shall proceed forthwith, wala rin timeline. So it's up to the interpretation of the official concerned," Velasco explained.

House impeachment prosecutor Rep. Joel Chua of Manila said the House will comply with the Supreme Court's orders.

House spokesperson Princess Abante said the matter has been referred to the counsel of the House.

"We have already referred the Resolution to the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG),  as our counsel, and shall coordinate closely with the OSG to ensure the submission of the required information within the non-extendible period of ten days provided by the Supreme Court," Abante said in a statement. —LDF, GMA Integrated News