The rigorous efforts to oust Vice President Sara Duterte have not reached their end yet, at least two administration lawmakers maintained Friday. This is despite the alleged indecisiveness of the House of Representatives on the three impeachment complaints that have remained stalled for over a month.

Tingog Rep. Jude Acidre and Manila Rep. Joel Chua, the chairpersons of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs and the Committee on Good Governance and Public Accountability, respectively, both affirmed to the DAILY TRIBUNE that the lower chamber remains steadfast in holding Duterte accountable. However, potential hitches, including time constraints stemming from the May 2025 elections, could hamper their bid.

Several congressmen have reportedly wavered in supporting the VP’s ouster due to these time constraints. Based on Congress’ calendar, lawmakers have only nine session days left before they will go on another break on 7 February to kick off the campaign season. Sessions will resume on 2 June, after the 12 May elections. The 19th Congress will adjourn on 13 June thereafter.

Acidre dismissed his peers’ alibi of a “lack of time,” asserting that the timeline for a possible impeachment trial had been part of the House’s consideration “from the very beginning,” especially with the upcoming midterm elections.

“In this regard, I don’t think anything has changed. It’s important to note that it is not up to us to decide whether or not to take up the impeachment complaints. The Constitution is explicit in this process,” he told DAILY TRIBUNE.

“However, while a measure of prudence is always advisable, it must not deter us from fulfilling not only our constitutional duty but also our moral obligation to serve the people and uphold the rule of law,” the lawmaker added.

Chua similarly contended that they remain constitutionally bound to act on the petitions. He said the impeachment would push through once they muster the required votes of one-third, or 106 House members, to elevate the petitions to the Senate.

“We did not subdue [our efforts to impeach the VP]. If the Articles of Impeachment will be submitted on the floor for deliberation and were eventually approved by one-third votes, then impeachment will proceed. That is our mandate regardless of the circumstances,” Chua said.

Impeachment complaints bottlenecked

The three impeachment complaints were filed as early as December but remain pending with House Secretary General Reginald Velasco. He claimed that he has yet to transmit them to the Speaker’s office because he is waiting for a possible fourth petition from congressmen in the majority bloc. Nevertheless, Velasco confirmed that the petitions have all been verified.

Critics have speculated that the House’s stalling of the petitions was due to fears of losing vote support from the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) — which recently held a nationwide peace rally — during the midterm elections.

Although members of the INC made it clear that the mobilization was not intended to block the growing clamor to impeach the VP, supporters of Duterte’s ouster insisted it was still a similar effort.

Acidre, however, argued that while they respect the INC’s call for a peaceful government, it “must not drown out the cries for accountability.”

He said 41 percent of Filipinos support Duterte’s removal from office, citing a recent survey by the Social Weather Stations. The figure outpaced those who oppose (35 percent) and those undecided (19 percent).

Acidre also mentioned that pro-impeachment groups gathered at the EDSA Shrine on Thursday to launch an alliance of public and congressional support for the impeachment.

“It’s crucial that we also hear other voices. Peace and justice are not mutually exclusive; they must go hand in hand for the good of our nation,” he said.

PBBM against impeachment

Despite their fractured alliance, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. remained steadfast that impeaching Duterte would not benefit the country.

Juan Ponce Enrile, a seasoned lawmaker and Marcos’ chief legal counsel, warned that there would be a “very detrimental precedent” if the country followed the implied reasoning of the INC’s protest that supposedly opposed impeachment efforts against Duterte.

While Marcos took cognizance of Enrile’s advice, he insisted that now is not the right time, especially with the election period approaching.

Earlier, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said his colleagues might now “hesitate” to support the impeachment calls since the election period has already begun. The senator also cited the INC’s vote as a key factor contributing to the anticipated failed effort to oust Duterte.

The INC, a powerful religious sect with millions of followers nationwide, is renowned for delivering a bloc vote. Its influence in Philippine politics spans several decades, with its leaders strategically positioning the church as a significant political force.

Former senator Leila de Lima, a staunch Duterte critic, reminded members of both the House and the Senate that they are mandated to uphold the rule of law and must not be influenced by the INC's stance.

The embattled Duterte faces three impeachment complaints, all accusing her of culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust — all grounds for impeachment except for treason.

The complainants, coming from multi-sectoral groups, heavily relied on findings by the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, which investigated alleged irregularities in Duterte's use of P612.5 million in confidential funds — P500 million for the Office of the Vice President and P112.5 million for the Department of Education during her tenure as its head.

While the VP has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, she remains unfazed, viewing the impending trial as an opportunity to “exclusively” address the corruption allegations leveled against her.