VP response to ouster raps sought

A CONGRESSIONAL panel on Thursday ordered Vice-President (VP) Sara Duterte-Carpio to respond to a sweeping range of allegations that include corruption, as lawmakers prepare to weigh the merits of cases calling for her impeachment.

Ms. Duterte was given 10 days to respond to the accusations, with the House Justice Committee warning that her failure to submit a reply will be deemed as a waiver of her right to respond and as a denial of the charges, its letter sent to the Office of the Vice-President, shared to reporters, read.

“Failure on your part to file the Verified Answer within the period herein provided shall be deemed a waiver of your right to file the same, and you shall be considered to have interposed a general denial to the allegations contained in the impeachment complaints,” it said.

The Justice committee on Wednesday found the two out of four complaints against Ms. Duterte were sufficient in substance, moving them to the next step of the impeachment process that will determine whether the charges should be elevated to the Senate for trial.

The Vice-President faces a range of accusations, including claims she misused hundreds of millions of pesos in secret funds under the Office of the Vice-President and the Education department during her tenure as its secretary.

Filings made also include accusations she amassed wealth disproportionate to her income, efforts to destabilize the government and plotting to assassinate President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., his wife and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, charges which Ms. Duterte has denied. 

In a statement, Batangas Rep. Gerville R. Luistro, who heads the Justice committee, said she plans to continue the proceedings even while Congress is on break, but stressed she upholds due process and has no intention of railroading the hearings.

“I do not want to cause any delay to this proceeding,” she said. “That is why I am inclined to continue the hearing even during recess.”

Congress is scheduled to adjourn by March 20 and will resume sessions on May 4. — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio