House of Representatives plenary. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — Impeaching Vice President Sara Duterte is a “moral obligation” of the House of Representatives, according to the signatories behind the three impeachment complaints against her.

The three groups of complainants made a joint appearance at a press conference after a Holy Mass with supporters to call for justice at the Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (Edsa) Shrine in Quezon City on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 16.

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“The impeachment process is not about personal grievances or political vendettas. It is a moral obligation to demand accountability from those in power,” the groups said in an open letter read at the conference.

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The first complaint was filed last Dec. 2 and endorsed by Akbayan party-list Rep. Percival Cendaña; the second was filed on Dec. 4 in a move led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan); and the third was filed on Dec. 19 with religious groups and lawyers at the helm.

READ: VP Sara Duterte slapped with 3rd impeachment complaint

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Former opposition senator Leila De Lima – who was among the signatories of the first complaint – said they felt compelled to urge the House to act, especially after it resumed session last Monday, Jan. 13, which was over a month since the complaints were first lodged.

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“Iniiwasan muna sa namin ito,” De Lima said at the presser. “We were expecting na noong Lunes… ay tatalakayin na nila, aaksyunan na nila, gagawin na nila yung kanilang mandato o constitutional duty na dapat i-refer na, ilagay na sa order of business.”

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(We were avoiding this… We were expecting last Monday… they would discuss it, act on it, and do their mandate or constitutional duty where they must refer it and put it on the order of business.)

“Since hindi nangyari, syempre, minarapat ng mga complainants belonging to the three groups, kami na mismo ang mag-aksyon… We have to really make them realize na this is another betrayal of trust kung hindi nila aaksyunan itong mga complaints na ito,” she added.

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(Since it did not happen, it merited that the complainants belonging to the three groups be the ones to act… We have to really make them realize that this is another betrayal of public trust if they don’t act on these complaints.)

The House adjourned session last Dec. 21 for the holidays. It is set to adjourn again from Feb. 8 to June 1 amid the 2025 national and local elections.

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Catholic priest Fr. Bong Sarabia – who was among the signatories of the third complaint – announced that the groups were planning rallies on Jan. 18, 25 and 31 to drum up public support for impeachment.

“We really have to make a choice now. Para ba kayo sa katotohanan? Para sa katarungan? Para ba sa impeachment o sa status quo?” Sarabia said at the press conference.

“Kapag sa status quo, kapag wala tayong gagawin para sa pagbabago, ibig sabihin, parte tayo ng problema. I hope we be part of the solution, transformation ng ating bayan. Sobra na yung nangyayari,” the Catholic priest added.

The groups and their supporters, donning peach ribbons, gathered at the church in the Edsa Shrine for a Holy Mass “calling for peace and justice” earlier on Thursday afternoon.

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READ: Akbayan solon: Delays in impeachment raps further ‘embolden’ VP Duterte

In an interview with reporters on the sidelines before the Mass, Cendaña argued that delays in impeachment proceedings were “emboldening” the vice president to “violate laws and aspire for the presidency.”

READ: Some solons looking for endorsers to expedite VP Duterte’s impeachment

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Last Tuesdaydiamond game, House Secretary-General Reginald Velasco said several lawmakers were actively looking for at least 103 colleagues to endorse a fourth impeachment complaint against Duterte to expedite the process.

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