MANILA, Philippines – House of Representatives lawmakers on Thursday denied that there were discussions in the lower house to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte.
According to Deputy Majority Leader Erwin Tulfo, the vice president has not committed any punishable offense.
Tulfo also said House leadership has not discussed an impeachment call.
“This morning I contacted leadership, including Cong. Zaldy [Co] and the Speaker to address rumors circulating in Congress.
“However, these discussions make no sense; the party leaders and the leadership of the House have not considered such an issue,” Tulfo said.
Tulfo stressed that the purpose of the lower house “is to unite for the nation and progress, not against Sarah Duterte or her family.”
Moreover, House Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe slammed the rumors as “baseless and harmful to political unity.”
Dalipe, in a statement, also said such talks “are merely an attempt to sow discord” between Duterte and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party ticket member France Castro was quoted in reports that discussions on Duterte’s potential impeachment were ongoing in the House.
In August, Castro also said the Makabayan bloc was considering the possibility of filing criminal charges against Duterte over her secret request for funds to the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education (DepEd).
READ: Impeachment of vice president considered over intelligence funds
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However, since it was a “divisive” issue, Duterte decided not to pursue his requests for confidential funds of P500 million for the OVP office and another P150 million for DepEd.
READ: Sara gives up on seeking P650M in secret funds
