Approximately 10 to 12 Congressmen and women will endorse the fourth impeachment complaint against Vice President (VP) Sara Duterte on Monday, January 6, House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teacher’s Party-List Rep. France Castro stated.
In an exclusive interview at Isyung Pambayan on Sunday, Castro discussed the fourth impeachment complaint to be filed against VP Duterte. According to the former, most of those who will be endorsing the fourth complaint will be coming from Congress. She added that the lawmakers are aiming to file it on Monday.
“Mukhang ifa-file yata bukas yung ika-apat na complaint. Kami naman ay wine-welcome namin itong ika-apat,” Castro said.
“Pinapakita lang talaga nito na malakas ang clamor for the impeachment of the Vice President. Kaya talagang winewelcome namin ito at mainvite din namin sila sa aming initiative na maipatawag yung ating mga complainants mula doon sa first to fourth,” she added.
The group endorsing the fourth impeachment rap against Duterte is composed of majority and minority leaders from the House of Representatives. A great contrast compared to previous endorsements filed. Although there is not much difference between the two, Castro acknowledged that this combined effort would make an impact on Congress.
“Mga 10 to 12 Congressmen and women yan kaya talagang tingin ko naman yung impact niyan ay malaki na. At ang meaning niyan, ibig sabihin meron na yang parang go signal para sa majority,” she said.
Castro said they are waiting for the fourth complaint to be filed, as they want it to be consolidated immediately.
“Hintayin pa natin. Sana matapos na ‘yun bukas para maipasa na ng Secretary General sa Speaker. Si Speaker naman ieendorse ‘yan sa Committee on Justice. Hopefully, mabilis na yung consolidation. Pag nagkaroon na ng consolidation at nakuha na yung one-third ng boto ng ating mga kasama dito sa House of Representatives, ay diretso na ‘yan sana na ma-endorso doon sa Senate,” she said.
Meanwhile, Castro clarified that a meeting has already been set for the endorsers and complainants of the previous impeachment complaints against VP Duterte. The tentative date for their meeting is January 8 at the House of Representatives. This is to push their efforts for Duterte’s impeachment, as Castro highlighted the indecision in leadership.
“Nakita nila talaga nila na maraming sektor ang nagka-clamor for impeachment. Ito nga, magkakaroon kami ng isang effort para mapush yung leadership,” Castro stated.
Although Castro also had no idea which members of Congress would be filing the complaint, she said they anticipated that they’d all have one ground in common: the betrayal of public trust.
“Inaasahan natin na pare-parehas lang ‘yon, yung mga ground na ‘yan. Isa lang yung common yung betrayal of public trust,” Castro highlighted.
Despite the lack of time they have to process the complaints, Castro mentioned that they are hoping that although the 19th Congress concludes, the processing of the impeachment complaint will continue. What needs to be done for now, is for all complaints to be filed and endorsed before the end of the 19th Congress.
“May theory kasi na kahit na matapos na ang Kongresong ito, at napunta na sa Senate ay magtutuloy-tuloy ‘yan,” she said.
