An opposition lawmaker on Friday criticized the House of Representatives for delaying action on three impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte, all filed as early as December 2024 but still lacking significant progress.

Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña, who led a protest calling for Duterte’s removal at the EDSA People Power Monument, questioned the inaction.

“What date is it already? January is about to end, but Congress still hasn't acted on the impeachment complaints. Will Congress let loose and be scared by Sara and her lame excuses?” Cendaña said.

“The time has come to take decisive action and finally impeach the Vice President. We are letting corruption prevail in our government by allowing her to remain in office,” he added.

Cendaña, who endorsed the first impeachment complaint along with progressive groups, urged the House to hold Duterte accountable for her alleged misuse of multi-million confidential funds.

Duterte is facing three impeachment complaints based on findings by the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability. The complaints stem from alleged irregularities in her 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 secretary.

Despite being filed in December, the petitions remain pending at the office of Secretary-General Reginald Velasco, who is mandated to “immediately” transmit them to the Office of the House Speaker. The delay significantly reduces the chances of the complaints reaching the Senate for trial.

Velasco cited a possible fourth impeachment complaint from congressmen in the majority bloc, which could justify consolidating all complaints into one. However, he confirmed that the three existing complaints are verified and ready for transmittal “anytime.”

The Makabayan bloc, which endorsed the second impeachment petition, accused Velasco of stalling the process, emphasizing that lawmakers are racing against time with the upcoming mid-term elections.

Legal experts have also raised concerns over the delay. Lawyer Michael Henry Yusingco, an independent policy analyst and constitutional expert, asserted that the House violated its own rules by holding back the impeachment petitions. He argued that Velasco has “no authority” to delay referral of the complaints and suggested that Speaker Martin Romualdez’s influence played a key role in the deadlock.

Despite a Social Weather Stations survey showing that 41 percent of Filipinos support Duterte’s impeachment, Yusingco believes lawmakers are unlikely to act, claiming their real goal is to block Duterte’s potential 2028 presidential bid rather than hold her accountable for alleged corruption.

Cendaña, however, insisted that lawmakers must prioritize their “moral and national obligation” over political considerations.

“We should not let the fear of losing votes influence our stance on impeachment. We must uphold our constitutional duty to revoke the powers of abusive government officials," he said.

Both Duterte and Romualdez are seen as leading contenders for the 2028 presidential race. While Duterte has expressed “serious consideration” of running, Romualdez has stated that he has no plans to seek the presidency and intends to retire from politics.

Critics argue that the House, despite being dominated by Duterte’s detractors, is playing it safe ahead of the mid-term elections.

Duterte has dismissed the accusations against her, calling the House probe a “well-funded” and “coordinated political attack” aimed at damaging her future political ambitions.