By Junex Doronio

MANILA – The Makabayan bloc in the House of Representatives is intensifying its efforts to gather at least 130 signatures from their colleagues to push the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte to the Senate for trial.

This initiative comes on the heels of a fellowship dinner hosted at Malacañang Palace by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. Attended by 200 congressmen, the event reaffirmed their support for the Chief Executive against “threats, both internal and external, that seek to undermine our independence, security, and democracy.”

Political analyst Ronald Llamas remarked, “Saan ba nanggagaling ang threats, di ba kay Vice President Sara Duterte?”

House Secretary General Reginald “Reggie” Velasco disclosed that his office has yet to transmit the two impeachment complaints to the Office of the Speaker, citing anticipation of additional complaints being filed next week.

“There are congressmen who spoke to me saying they are thinking about filing or endorsing a complaint, so we are still on hold. We’re waiting,” Velasco said.

In a joint statement, Party-list Representatives France Castro (ACT), Arlene Brosas (Gabriela), and Raoul Manuel (Kabataan) confirmed their initiative:

“We, the Makabayan bloc in Congress, have initiated efforts to gather the required one-third of signatures from House members to sign the Resolution of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte based on the citizens’ complaint signed by 72 individuals from various sectors led by BAYAN and Makabayan.”

They urged their colleagues to “act with integrity and political courage by supporting this impeachment resolution.”

The Makabayan bloc emphasized that the exposure of alleged misuse of confidential funds during budget deliberations necessitates accountability from the Vice President.

If the impeachment gains traction in the House, Llamas noted, the Senate will serve as the impeachment court to decide on either conviction or exoneration.

ia/mnm

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — As the Makabayan bloc, known for its national democrat orientation, and the traditional opposition Liberal Party (LP) gear up for the 2025 senatorial race with several potential candidates stepping forward, the Partido ng Demokratikong Pilipino (PDP) led by former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte has yet to finalize its slate.

This comes in the wake of the former president’s dismissal of Vice President Sara Duterte’s announcement that he and his sons, Davao City Rep. Pulong Duterte and Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte, are eyeing Senate seats.

On Thursday, July 4, 2024, ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro and Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas of the Makabayan bloc boldly declared in a press conference at the House of Representatives their intention to field a full slate of 12 candidates for the 2025 senatorial elections.

Castro, who declared her senatorial bid on June 26, stated, “We will field a slate… the number of candidates will increase, not just myself. We will include representatives from various sectors, including marginalized groups, farmers, fisherfolk, indigenous peoples, urban poor, women, and professionals.”

In a move towards a united front strategy, Castro also mentioned ongoing discussions with like-minded parties, including Liberal Party’s Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman, for a potential alliance.

On Wednesday, July 3, 2024, Lagman announced that the LP plans to field six candidates for its senatorial slate in the upcoming elections.

Earlier in February, LP spokesperson Leila de Lima had confirmed that former senators Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino are seeking a return to the Senate under their ticket. Human rights lawyer Chel Diokno also aims for a senatorial bid.

On June 30, Duterte, speaking in Tacloban City, dismissed his daughter VP Sara’s statement about their senatorial candidacy, saying, “What will we do in the Senate… What will we do there?”

(el Amigo/mnm)