MANILA Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. over the weekend expressed confidence that Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s impeachment trial will not derail congressional action on the proposed P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027.
With the House of Representatives preparing to scrutinize the 2027 National Expenditure Program (NEP), Abante said the Senate impeachment court’s current schedule should allow Congress to carry on with its regular legislative work.
“Palagay ko hindi naman sapagkat nakita naman natin… four hours lang naman ang impeachment court. Sa umaga nagsisimula, three o’clock deliberation na ‘yan eh, so I don’t think maapektuhan,” Abante said during the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City.
The Executive branch formally turned over the NEP to Congress this week, setting the stage for House deliberations on the spending plan.
The budget process comes as the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, continues Duterte’s trial on four Articles of Impeachment transmitted by the House.
Since the trial opened July 6, prosecutors have completed their presentation on Article IV, which covers Duterte’s alleged threats against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and then-Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.
Proceedings have since shifted to Article I and the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds under the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and Department of Education (DepEd).
The prosecution first established the money trail through former Land Bank of the Philippines branch managers, who testified on seven checks encashed by the special disbursing officers of the two agencies.
Four P125-million checks totaling P500 million were encashed by former OVP Special Disbursing Officer (SDO) Gina Acosta, while former DepEd SDO Edward Fajarda withdrew three P37.5-million checks totaling P112.5 million.
Commission on Audit witnesses Roderick Wamil and Xylene Mae del Campo subsequently testified on the liquidation of the funds and deficiencies in supporting documents submitted by the agencies.
The Senate impeachment court has renewed subpoenas for Acosta and Fajarda, who are expected to take the witness stand as the prosecution continues its presentation on the confidential fund charge.
Still awaiting presentation are Article II, which covers Duterte’s SALNs, financial transactions and alleged unexplained wealth, and Article III, involving alleged cash distributions to DepEd officials and personnel.
Abante has said the trial should move to Duterte’s SALN, bank and Anti-Money Laundering Council records once the confidential fund presentation is completed.
He also wants the impeachment proceedings concluded before December, keeping the trial moving even as Congress tackles the 2027 budget and other legislative priorities.
metrosundaily
