House Stands Firm on Impeachment Raps Forwarded Within 10 Days
MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives firmly insists that the impeachment raps against Vice President Sara Duterte were properly forwarded within the constitutional timeframe of 10 session days. This key point was emphasized in the House’s official response to the Supreme Court regarding petitions challenging the impeachment process for alleged constitutional lapses.
House spokesperson and lawyer Princess Abante clarified on Monday that all actions taken by the House followed its internal rules and the Constitution. “The House of Representatives has clarified with the Supreme Court that all of the actions it has taken are in accordance with its internal rules and regulations and with the Constitution,” Abante stated during a press briefing.
She stressed that the first three impeachment complaints filed in December were acted upon within the constitutionally mandated 10 session days. Likewise, the fourth impeachment complaint was also processed within legal boundaries.
Details of Impeachment Complaints and Constitutional Mandates
Three impeachment complaints against Vice President Duterte were filed in December 2024. The first, on December 2, came from civil society groups and was endorsed by Akbayan party-list Representative Percival Cendaña. The second complaint, submitted on December 4, was backed by progressive groups and the Makabayan bloc. The third complaint, filed on December 19, was supported by religious organizations and legal practitioners, endorsed by Naga City Representative Gabriel Bordado and AAMBIS-OWA party-list Representative Lex Anthony Colada.
According to Article XI, Section 3(2) of the 1987 Constitution, a verified impeachment complaint must be included in the Order of Business within 10 session days and referred to the proper committee within three session days thereafter. House rules require the Secretary General to immediately forward verified complaints to the Office of the Speaker, who must then include them in the Order of Business within the 10-session-day period.
Archiving Complaints and Filing of the Fourth Complaint
Despite the initial complaints, all three were archived when a fourth impeachment complaint was filed on February 5, 2025. This fourth complaint, signed by 215 lawmakers, triggered the immediate transmission of articles of impeachment to the Senate for trial, as mandated by the Constitution.
However, some Mindanao-based lawyers filed a petition to halt the impeachment proceedings, arguing that the House violated the constitutional requirement to act on complaints within 10 session days.
Clarifications on the Timeline and Procedures
When questioned about the apparent discrepancy between the House Secretary General’s statement that the complaints were still with his office on February 3, and the Speaker’s calendaring of the complaints, Abante said she could not provide specifics. “Ang naalala ko, na they were acted upon within the 10 session day requirement by the Constitution which all were on February 5,” she said.
Abante emphasized she speaks only from official records. “Technically the statements of the Secretary General, I understand that there were previous interviews, but I can only speak based on records,” she added. According to available records, all impeachment complaints complied with the Constitution and House rules.
The 19th Congress adjourned on December 18, 2024, for the Christmas break and resumed sessions on January 13, 2025. The House then adjourned again on February 5 for the election season break. This timeline covers at least 20 session days between December 2 and February 5.
Abante pointed out the difference between calendar days and session days, explaining that suspended sessions do not count as session days. “Yes, calendar days are different from session days. When session is suspended, it is not included as a session day,” she said. She confirmed that the first complaint was included in the Order of Business within nine session days.
Supreme Court Resolution and Impeachment Trial
Abante also reported that the House received a copy of the Supreme Court resolution consolidating the petitions filed by Duterte and her supporters. The resolution requires the House Secretary General to submit documents showing the status of the first three complaints.
Vice President Duterte’s impeachment was based on allegations involving misuse of confidential funds, threats against officials, and potential constitutional violations. With 215 lawmakers endorsing the fourth complaint, the articles of impeachment were promptly sent to the Senate, triggering a trial as the Constitution requires a trial to start immediately if at least one-third of House members sign the complaint.
For more news and updates on impeachment proceedings, visit Filipinokami.com.
