MANILA – Twenty-five additional lawmakers have expressed their intent to join the fourth impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, bringing the total number of endorsers to 240, over 75% of the House’s 306 members.

Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong confirmed that these lawmakers, who were previously abroad or in their districts, have now submitted their verification to sign the complaint.

Deputy Majority Leader Lorenz Defensor attributed the growing support to consultations across major political parties, including Lakas-CMD, PFP, NUP, and NP. He emphasized that the complaint’s stronger, clearer case gained the supermajority’s confidence.

1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodrigo Gutierrez noted that prior impeachment attempts lacked momentum, but this filing has gained widespread consensus.

Gutierrez denied claims of financial incentives or “ayuda” being offered in exchange for signatures, asserting that the support stems purely from the merits of the case.

Adiong dismissed these allegations as part of a “smear campaign” aimed at undermining the impeachment process, urging the public to focus on the legal merits.

The House is also preparing an information campaign to educate the public on the impeachment process, with plans for an impeachment trial already underway.

Rodriguez stated that they are ready for any decision the Senate may make, whether it’s to proceed with the trial as early as March or after June 2.

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MANILA — Lawmakers across the political spectrum have paid tribute to Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman, who passed away at 82 on Thursday due to cardiac arrest.

His death marks the loss of a respected figure in Philippine politics, known for his unwavering commitment to human rights, social justice, and good governance.

Speaker Martin Romualdez described Lagman as a “passionate and fearless legislator,” whose sharp intellect and dedication earned him respect in the House of Representatives.

He lauded Lagman’s tireless advocacy, noting that while not everyone agreed with his views, his integrity and legal expertise were undeniable.

House blue ribbon committee chairman Joel Chua praised Lagman’s mastery of law and parliamentary procedure, while Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores recalled the congressman’s sharp wit and resilience, even in the face of legal setbacks.

Bagong Henerasyon Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera highlighted Lagman’s devotion to the underprivileged and his work as past president of the Rotary Club of South Triangle.

The Makabayan bloc and various party-lists, including Gabriela, Kabataan, and Akbayan, also expressed their sorrow, calling Lagman a “true statesman” and a “mentor” to many progressive legislators.

OFW Party-list Rep. Marissa del Mar-Magsino remembered him as a venerable lawmaker dedicated to human rights and social justice.

Liberal Party members, including former senators Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino, mourned the loss of their president, reflecting on Lagman’s principled leadership and personal sacrifices. Former Vice President Leni Robredo, who sought his counsel during her term, also paid tribute to his wisdom and public service.

Lagman’s legacy will continue through the causes he championed, including landmark laws on reproductive health and human rights. The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) honored him for his work in promoting historical authenticity and truth.

As the nation mourns, lawmakers are committed to continuing the fight for justice and the welfare of the Filipino people, inspired by Lagman’s example.

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By Junex Doronio

MANILA – Four neophyte lawmakers from the House of Representatives on Wednesday (November 6, 2024) lauded the Senate Committee on Finance’s decision to adopt the House version of the proposed P733 million budget for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for 2025.

In a press conference held on Wednesday (06 Nov 2024), Representatives Jude Acidre (Party-list, TINGOG), Zia Alonto Adiong (1st District, Lanao del Sur), Lordan Suan (1st District, Cagayan de Oro City), and Raul Angelo “Jil” Bongalon (Party-list, AKO BICOL) emphasized that this move confirms the House Committee on Appropriations’ decision to reduce the OVP budget and realign the P1.2 billion to other agencies such as the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) was “fair and free of politics.”

The Senate Finance Committee adopted the House version after the OVP failed to submit documents needed to clarify issues surrounding their proposed budget.

Rep. Acidre expressed concern that a government office would bypass established processes, particularly in the crafting of the national budget.

Regarding the upcoming 10th public hearing of the Quad Committee, the lawmakers voiced hope that former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte would appear before the panel, as he holds crucial answers about the implementation of his administration’s war on drugs.

They reiterated that the Quad Committee is not a court of law, but rather a body designed to uncover the truth and hold individuals accountable.

The lawmakers also clarified that, contrary to malicious claims, the purpose of the hearings conducted by the Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability is not to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte.

The investigation into the use of confidential funds is aimed at legislative improvement, especially given its relevance to the General Appropriations Act (GAA).

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Image Courtesy of Inday Sara Duterte Official Facebook Account

By Junex Doronio

SETTING ASIDE THEIR POLITICAL COLORS, various lawmakers from the two chambers of Congress led by House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri have agreed to reallocate confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) to agencies in charge of intelligence and surveillance activities in the face of continuing incursions of Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea.

This unprecedented move, in effect, nipped in the bud, so to speak, future requests for CIF by the Office of the Vice President (OVP) which has maintained that the issue of its P125-million CIF spent in only 11 days in 2022 would be answered when its proposed P2.3-billion budget for 2024 is discussed in the House plenary.

“Recognizing the rising security threats in the West Philippine Sea and the need to secure top officials, these agencies are better positioned to counteract security threats, protect our territorial waters, and secure the rights and access of Filipino fishermen to traditional fishing grounds,” the congressmen said on Wednesday in a joint statement.

They said beneficiaries of this reallocation include the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), the National Security Council (NSC), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

Among those who signed the joint statement were Representatives Michael John Duavit (1st District, Rizal), Johnny Pimentel (2nd District, Surigao del Sur), Eleandro Mendoza (Romblon), Jose Aquino (1st District, Agusan del Norte), Angelica Co (BHW party-list) and LRay Villafuerte (2nd District, Camarines Sur).

On behalf of the upper house, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri declared that they also intend to reallocate unnecessary funds in certain agencies to the intelligence agencies, the PCG, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“We have agreed in the Senate to do the same. We also will [be] reallocating funds that we feel are not necessary for the use of certain agencies and allocate them to our Intelligence Community as well as our Coast Guard and AFP,” Zubiri said in a Viber message to reporters on Wednesday.

It was administration ally Marikina City Rep. Stella Quimbo who revealed that the P125-million OVP confidential funds were spent in only 11 days.

Ironically, Quimbo has been defending the OVP’s confidential funds, but now she was speaking on behalf of the Commission on Audit (COA) during the plenary deliberation on the proposed 2024 budget.

“What can VP Sara (Duterte) show for it? Nag-mass hiring ba ang OVP ng libo-libong informant sa loob lang ng 11 na araw? Nagpatayo ba sila ng daan-daang safehouse sa loob lamang ng 11 na araw?” opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros quipped.

“Babalik lang tayo sa paulit-ulit na tanong: Saan niyo dinala ang pera? Naghihintay ng resibo ang buong Pilipinas,” she said. (ai/mnm)