House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro cried foul over the “intensifying death threats” she had been receiving until Tuesday, ahead of the preparations and a scheduled assembly with other lawmakers endorsing the two other impeachment complaints lodged against Vice President Sara Duterte.
The Makabayan bloc, composed of Castro (ACT Teachers), Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel, endorsed the second impeachment complaint against Duterte. They announced that they had invited other endorsers of the two petitions to a meeting on Wednesday at the House to expedite the impeachment process.
Castro, one of the vocal critics of the alleged wrongdoings of the VP, disclosed she has been receiving death threats since then, but the harassment was exacerbated following the announcement of the closed-door meeting.
One of the culprits warned her to refrain from going to Davao City, the bailiwick of the Dutertes because she would get decapitated.
"These cowardly acts of intimidation will not deter us from pursuing accountability. In the past, I chose to ignore similar threats, but now is the time to hold these perpetrators accountable for their actions against those who stand for truth and accountability," Castro asserted.
She added, “These childish threats and harassment will not intimidate me. They are only proving that we are on the right path in holding accountable those who have squandered public funds.”
Former ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio said such intimidation necessitates an investigation from the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation in order to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Castro has been egging the House leadership to take action on the three pending impeachment complaints filed against Duterte, citing time constraints due to the upcoming May 2025 polls.
She also announced that they launched a signature drive to muster the required votes of 1/3, or equivalent to 106 House members, to expedite the impeachment proceedings.
Garnering the required 1/3 vote is the shortcut route allowed by the Constitution for the House to take to immediately elevate the petitions to the Senate, which will sit as the trial court.
The House had already proven it before on the late Supreme Court Justice Renato Corona, whom they impeached on the same day that the complaint was filed against him on 12 December 2011.
At present, Duterte faces three impeachment complaints, coming from multi-sectors, accusing her of culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust — all grounds for impeachment except for treason.
A fourth petition is also likely to be filed in the second week of this month when the Congress session resumes.
Some congressmen have cast doubt whether the attempts to oust Duterte may prosper given that they are racing against time for the preparations of mid-term elections not to mention the looming nationwide protest of the influential religious sect, Iglesia Ni Cristo, purportedly in support of Duterte.