House to vote on VP Duterte impeachment today, May 11 — ANC

[0:00] The House of Representatives set to cast the crucial vote on the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte this afternoon. [0:11] Vivian Gulia reports. [0:12] The House of Representatives is expected to tackle on Monday the committee report on the House resolution setting forth the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte. [0:24] House Committee on Justice Chairperson Gervie Luistro will deliver a sponsorship speech on her panel's report before the plenary. [0:30] I anticipate that it will be the same questions which were discussed during the justice proceeding so I think I have reasonable appreciation already so long as it is relevant to the impeachment. [0:44] After interpolation, a roll call vote of House members will commence. [0:48] House Senior Deputy Majority Leader Lawrence Defensor issued this reminder. [0:52] We expect the members of the House to exercise absolute decorum when it comes to the impeachment deliberations. [0:59] A vote of at least 106 or a third of House members is needed to elevate the articles of impeachment against Duterte to the Senate for trial. [1:19] At least one justice panel member is confident Monday's plenary vote will exceed the number of votes needed to impeach the Vice President. [1:26] It's just a question of whether we will get to three-fourths majority by the vote on Monday. [1:35] So by yesterday we had breached two-thirds majority already to impeach the Vice President as far as the count is concerned. [1:42] It's just a Friday and you still have a few more days left for House members to get convinced on the evidence. [1:50] I'm certain that we will get a little bit more from the 215 that we have from yesterday. [1:59] Retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpius said if the articles of impeachment reach the Senate, it is mandatory to hold a trial. [2:08] That's the mandate of the Constitution. Mandatory yung trial. [2:11] Kahit the majority will say, ayaw namin, we don't want a trial, we will dismiss this right away. [2:17] They cannot do that because nakalagay trial shall proceed. [2:21] At least two House members also disputed Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Laxon's statement [2:26] that the Senate may not convene as an impeachment court if majority of senators decide to do so. [2:32] With due respect, I disagree with that kind of a thinking. [2:36] It's an imperative constitutional process. [2:40] The language of the Constitution says shall. [2:43] Hindi ito may. [2:44] Constitutional duty nila yun. Dapat hindi na pinagbobotohan pa yun. [2:50] Luistro added that despite the pending petitions before the Supreme Court, [2:54] there is no temporary restraining order issued to stop the impeachment proceedings against Duterte. [3:00] Vivian Gullia, ABS-CBN News. [3:04] Vice President Duterte accuses the Marcos administration of crackling down on online media critics [3:12] instead of focusing on more pressing national issues. [3:17] Harleen Delgado reports. [3:18] This was the message of former President Rodrigo Duterte as relayed by Vice President Sara Duterte to their supporters in The Hague, the Netherlands. [3:37] The younger Duterte did not elaborate while the Duterte patriarch called for prayers. [3:41] But as she talked with the supporters, the Vice President criticized Marcos Jr. [3:46] when asked about the country's ballooning debt and unemployment. [3:50] Panelist press officer Claire Castro rejected Duterte's observations. [3:53] As expected, kasi hindi naman nagtatrabaho yung buong administrasyon, lalong-lalo na ang Pangulo. [4:01] Ang dapat na ginagawa mo, tinutukan mo yung trabaho mo. [4:05] At pag hindi mo tinutukan yung trabaho mo, ganyan yung nangyayari. [4:07] Lumaki ang utang dahil naman na po ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. [4:12] ang napakalaking utang na nakuha ni dating Pangulong Duterte. [4:18] At ito'y napabayaan di umano dahil sa mga pang-aabuso sa farm mali at sa mga ghost projects noon ng build, build, build. [4:27] Duterte also urged the President to focus on the country's peace and order and growth instead of public criticisms. [4:34] This was her response when asked about the arrest of former broadcaster Jay Sonza, [4:39] a known Duterte supporter, and the investigation of some vloggers [4:42] who were accused of spreading fake news about the President's health. [4:45] Mga ganyan na mga tao na apektado sa opinion ng ordinaryong mamamayan ay sensitive, insecure, at takot. [4:59] The Vice President also took a swipe at Castro after the palace officer was asked to comment on doubts raised by Duterte [5:06] on the holding of the 2028 elections. [5:09] Lagi ko sinasabi no, na kapag si Claire Castro ang nagsasalita, huwag niyong pansinin o bigyan ng halaga. [5:20] Kasi pag pinapansin niyo, napifeed yung kanyang papansin na ugali. [5:30] Hindi tayong tataka kung bakit medyo behind siya sa mga updates, mga current events, sa mga ginagawa ng Pangulo at ng gobyerno. [5:41] Dahil hindi nga siya marunong gumamit ng computer. [5:45] So mukhang hindi siya marunong mag-research kung ano ba ang nangyayari sa kasalukuyan. [5:50] Castro also rejected claims that the government has no more money left as alleged by the Vice President. [5:56] The Undersecretary notes Duterte should offer evidence. [5:59] Puro misinformation and disinformation. [6:02] So kaya nga sabi natin, mas maganda mag-aral muna siya mag-computer para alam naman niya yung mga katotohanan. [6:08] Nakakalungkot po yan. [6:09] The palace official remained firm that Marcos Jr. is busy working as Manila chairs the 48th ASEAN Summit. [6:16] Castro also pointed out Marcos is not on vacation as he deals with pressing national issues. [6:21] Harleen Delgado, ABS-CBN News. [6:24] Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Laxon defends the flood control probe of the Blue Ribbon Committee. [6:34] Laxon says while the report still lacks enough signatures to refer it to the plenary, [6:40] the probe has uncovered evidence that already helped criminal investigation agencies. [6:46] R.G. Cruz reports. [6:49] Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Laxon acting as chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee [6:54] has formally presented a progress report to the chamber regarding the massive flood control scandal investigation. [7:00] Laxon revealed a menu of potential criminal charges for government investigators and prosecutors to pursue, [7:05] including plunder, direct bribery, malversation, money laundering, [7:08] and various violations of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. [7:11] The progress report names several prominent political figures as subjects for preliminary investigation. [7:17] Former Speaker Martin Romualdez and former Congressman Zaldico, [7:20] Senators Jingo Estrada, Joe Villanueva, and Jesus Cudero, [7:23] along with former Senator Bong Ribilla, [7:25] and former Congresswoman Mitch Kahayon Uy. [7:28] The recommendations also extend to a host of intermediaries, [7:31] public works officials, and contractors, [7:32] specifically Laxon call for money laundering and for future cases against Romualdez and certain DPWH officials, [7:39] alongside charges of perjury, bid rigging, and the falsification of documents. [7:43] Laxon clarifies they're not indicting or judging anybody. [7:45] Our recommendations are, by design, [7:49] recomendatory and conditioned on independent investigation. [7:53] Kung mali ang allegasyon, the process clears them. [7:57] Kung totoo, the process convicts. [8:00] With due process and accountability, [8:03] makukulong ang dapat makulong. [8:06] Addressing critics who accused him of shielding Martin Romualdez, [8:09] Laxon cited inter-parliamentary courtesy, [8:12] explaining that a sitting member of the House cannot be compelled to face the Senate through a subpoena. [8:16] Such an act would risk undermining the balance and mutual respect that define bicameral relations. [8:26] Laxon also debunked claims he's possessed a secret list of congressman contractors, [8:30] clarifying he was merely relaying information shared by a colleague without specific details. [8:35] The report's release was not without controversy. [8:38] The partial report has remained stalled for three months, [8:40] currently two signatures short of the majority required for formal filing. [8:43] To date, only seven senators, including Laxon, Senate President Vicente Soto III, [8:48] and Senators Erwin Tulfo, Risa Ontiveros, Bam Aquino, Kiko Panglinan, and Rafi Tulfo have signed. [8:53] While I disagree with those who have not, let me state for the record, Mr. President, [8:59] that I respect their decision even as I understand whatever reasons they have for not signing. [9:08] Bottom line, it is their right as senators of the Republic. [9:13] Laxon did not allow himself to be interpreted, [9:15] drawing flack from Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, who felt alluded to in Laxon's speech. [9:19] Common sense lang sa isa nating kasamahan na pilit naghahanap ng original signed copy [9:25] at ginawa pang dahilan sa hindi niya pagpirma. [9:29] It should be understood that the digital version serves as the formal notification of the report's contents, Mr. President. [9:37] Bakit kailangan akong palaging pinapasaringan? [9:44] Hindi naman po ang aking kagustuhan eh kung sino yung dapat nasumikat, kung sino yung dapat magpasikat. [9:52] Senator Miriam, Defensor Santiago, even in very important bills like the RH bill, [10:01] she would sponsor the RH bill, she will deliver a speech, [10:05] I want to interpellate her, she does not want to be interpellated. [10:10] She refuses and sits down and sits down. [10:14] That's why Senator Envile would just play his bejeweled every time she's delivering a speech. [10:20] Likening the flood control scandal to the pork bile scam, Laxon is pushing for systemic changes. [10:24] He is seeking the total removal of allocables and leadership funds from the national budget, [10:29] the strict itemization of unprogrammed funds, [10:31] and comprehensive reforms within the Ombudsman and Commission on Audit. [10:34] R.G. Cruz, EBS-CBN News.