MANILAjollibet, Philippines — Two ranking House lawmakers said the chamber was bound by the Constitution to act on the impeachment complaints lodged against Vice President Sara Duterte.

Duterte, whom Congress had been investigating for alleged misuse of confidential funds, faces two impeachment complaints both accusing her of betraying the public trust.

“We have the constitutional duty, and we’re bound by that mandate to act on all impeachment complaints filed with the House,” Assistant Majority Leader and Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said in a statement on Saturday.

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“Siguro nitong paghahain ng impeachment complaint ng mga civil society groups ay isa lamang pagpapatunay na ang taong-bayan mismo ay naghahanap ng accountability sa kanilang mga halal na pinuno, lalung-lalo na sa kasong ito ng bise presidente,” Acidre added.

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(Perhaps, this filing of an impeachment complaint by civil society groups is only one proof that the people themselves are seeking accountability from their elected leaders, most especially in this case against the vice president.)

The first complaint was filed by civil society organizations led by Akbayan party-list Rep. Percival Cendaña on Monday, Dec. 2. The second complaint was filed on Wednesday, Dec. 4, by progressive groups led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan).

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The 1987 Constitution states: “A verified complaint for impeachment may be filed by any Member of the House of Representatives or by any citizen upon a resolution of endorsement by any Member thereof, which shall be included in the Order of Business within ten session days, and referred to the proper Committee within three session days thereafter.”

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Meanwhile, House committee on women and gender equality chairperson and Bataan 1st District Rep. Geraldine Roman expressed hesitation on the move, saying  “I’m not inclined to push for an impeachment process kasi ito rin ang panawagan sa amin ng pangulo (because this is also the President’s appeal to us).”

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“But from a purely constitutional point of view, bahagi po ito ng aming mandato sa Kongreso. Kung meron nag-file ng impeachment complaint, we have no choice but to process this complaint,” Roman added.

(But from a purely constitutional point of view, this is part of our mandate in Congress. If someone files an impeachment complaint, we have no choice but to process this complaint.)

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Before the complaints were filed, on Nov. 29, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. discouraged lawmakers from starting impeachment procedures against the vice president, saying it would “tie Congress down” and “waste time for nothing.”

READ: Marcos says he ordered impeachment moves vs VP Sara Duterte stopped

Marcos’ effort to distance himself from moves to impeach Duterte was amid a widening rift between the holders of the nation’s two highest seats of power.

Tensions between Marcos and Duterte escalated when the vice president, his once running mate, cursed and threatened to kill him, his wife, and his cousin during a midnight virtual press briefing as the House ordered her detained chief of staff to be transferred to a women’s prison.

Several House members, led by Speaker Martin Romualdez, pledged to support the President as a symbol of national sovereignty.

READ: House assures Marcos of support

Roman then vowed that impeachment proceedings would abide by the law and said, “Rest assured na kung ano mang (no matter what) processing, deliberations, they will be transparent and they will follow to the small letter.”

Acidre also stressed that the House was acting within its capacity to serve as checks and balances as a branch of government.

“Nakita ninyo naman sa mga pagdinig ng Kongreso, naging prayoridad naman talaga natin ang paghahanap ng accountability,” he said.

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(You saw in our congressional hearingsjollibet, right? Our priority has been to seek accountability.)

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