(From left) House Sergeant-at-Arms Ferdinand Melchor Dela Cruz, Atty. Marmoi Salonga, House Secretary General Atty. Cheloy E. Velicaria-Garafil, MNSA, Senate Secretary Mark Llandro Mendoza, and Senate Deputy Secretary for Legislation Atty. Marivic Laurel-Garcia during Wednesday night’s formal transmittal of the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte to the Senate. Courtesy: House of Representatives
THE House of Representatives on Wednesday night formally transmitted the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte to the Senate, completing what House Secretary General Atty. Cheloy E. Velicaria-Garafil described as an orderly and constitutionally compliant process.
The Senate officially received the impeachment documents at 7:22 p.m., just moments before shots were fired and chaos erupted following reports authorities were going to arrest Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
In a statement on Thursday, Garafil said the House completed the transmittal process in an orderly manner despite the many developments and politically charged environment surrounding the impeachment proceedings.
“The transmittal of the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate last night was completed successfully and in an orderly manner despite the many developments unfolding simultaneously,” Garafil said.
“Throughout the process, the House of Representatives remained focused on fulfilling its constitutional duty faithfully, professionally, and without disruption,” she added.
Her statement also came after Sen. Imee Marcos on Wednesday accused the House of delaying the impeachment trial due to the Senate’s change in leadership.
The House Secretariat produced 27 printed copies of Committee Report No. 261 on House Resolution No. 989, which sets forth the articles of impeachment against Duterte, along with 27 flash drives containing electronic copies of the same.
Garafil said House personnel worked continuously to ensure the proper reproduction, verification, collation, and official transmission of the documents.
“Every step was undertaken with utmost care because the integrity and accuracy of the submission are paramount,” she said.
“Despite the heightened political atmosphere surrounding the proceedings, the House Secretariat remained guided solely by its constitutional mandate and institutional responsibilities,” she added.
The formal transmittal was attended by House Sergeant-at-Arms Ferdinand Melchor Dela Cruz, Atty. Marmoi Salonga, House Secretary General Garafil, Senate Secretary Mark Llandro Mendoza, and Senate Deputy Secretary for Legislation Atty. Marivic Laurel-Garcia.
On May 11, the House voted overwhelmingly to impeach Duterte for the second time, with 257 lawmakers voting in favor of transmitting the case to the Senate, 25 voting against, and 9 abstaining.
The articles of impeachment contain allegations involving the vice president’s alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds under the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd), unexplained wealth and discrepancies in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), alleged bribery involving DepEd officials, and grave threats arising from her public remarks against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.
“The constitutional process moved forward as required, and the House fulfilled its duty accordingly,” Garafil said.
She also thanked House personnel and partner agencies involved in ensuring the orderly and secure transmittal of the impeachment documents.
With the articles of impeachment now formally transmitted, the Senate is expected to fulfill its constitutional mandate to convene as an impeachment court and proceed with the trial.
