The fourth impeachment case for betrayal of public trust against Vice President Sara Duterte will be supported by 103 members of the 19th Congress which would automatically elevate it to the Senate.

Lawyer Kristina Conti, International Criminal Court assistant to counsel and who specializes in international law and local governance, said during The Agenda forum at Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City on Friday that the members of the 19th Congress were still waiting for the filing of the fourth impeachment complaint against Duterte, which would mean a direct filing at the Senate.

The support of the 103 members would also mean the endorsement of the second and third impeachment complaints against the Vice President.

Conti said the House Quadcomm hearings would resume on 20 January its investigation-in-aid of legislation, noting that it enjoyed 61 percent support of the Filipinos in a survey.

She cited that the impeachment of the former South Korean President for his short-lived declaration of martial law, which Vice President Duterte may now be taking into consideration.

For her part, Rep. France Castro of ACT Teachers Party-list said 41 percent of Filipinos support the impeachment of Vice President Duterte while 19 percent are undecided.

Castro said that it has been more than a month and the third impeachment case against Duterte was not moving.

She said that even after the May elections, the impeachment proceedings against the Vice President would proceed.

“The silent majority are not yet showing their strong clamor for the impeachment of Vice President Duterte,” Castro said.

“The dilly-dallying and apparent inaction of President Marcos on the clamor of the Filipino people for the impeachment of Vice President Duterte for betrayal of public trust might lead to the anger of the public,” she added.

Castro said the issue of the confidential funds would pin down Duterte as there have been testimonies and evidence on the matter.

Castro said the Filipino people were more determined than ever to stage a protest rally on 31 January calling for the impeachment of Duterte.

Not yet the end

Meanwhile, two administration lawmakers maintained Friday the rigorous effort to oust Duterte has not reached its end, despite the seeming indecisiveness of the House of Representatives on the three impeachment complaints that have stalled for over a month now.

Tingog Rep. Jude Acidre and Manila Rep. Joel Chua, chairpersons of the House committees on overseas workers affairs and good governance and public accountability, respectively, both affirmed to Daily Tribune that the lower chamber remains steadfast in holding Duterte accountable notwithstanding potential hitches that could hamper their bid, particularly the time constraint owing to the May elections.

Several congressmen have reportedly gone cold in supporting the VP’s ouster since it has become a race against time. Based on Congress’ calendar, lawmakers have only nine session days left before they will go on another break on 7 February for the start of the campaign season.

The session will only resume on 2 June, after the 12 May elections. The 19th Congress will adjourn on 13 June.

Acidre does not buy his peers’ alibi of a “lack of time,” asserting that the timeline for the impeachment trial had been considered by the House “from the very beginning,” especially with the coming 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 about this process,” he told Tribune.

Chua contended that they remain constitutionally bound to act on the petitions. He said the impeachment would push through once they muster the required one-third votes or equivalent to 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 put on the floor for deliberation and are approved by a one-third vote, then the impeachment will proceed. That is our mandate regardless of the circumstances,” Chua told the Tribune.

The three impeachment complaints were filed in December but remain pending in the office of House Secretary General Reginald Velasco.

Velasco said he was waiting for the fourth petition from the majority bloc. Nevertheless, he confirmed the petitions have all been verified.

Fear of losing INC votes

Critics have speculated that the stalling by the House was due to the fear of losing the votes of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, which recently held a nationwide peace rally.

Although the INC said the mobilization was not in support of Vice President Duterte, ouster proponents said it had the contrary effect.

Acidre said that while they respected the INC’s call for peace, it ”must not drown out the cries for accountability.”

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.

Despite their fractured alliance, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that impeaching Duterte would not do the country any good.

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.