President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (left), Vice President Sara Duterte (Facebook, PPAB)

Former Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Teddy Casiño said the House of Representatives must take action on the impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte, with or without the approval of President Marcos.

In a statement, Casiño reminded the lower chamber that the impeachment process is part of its Constitutional obligation.

“Ang impeachment ay isang mahalagang proteksyon na nagtitiyak na ang mga matataas na opisyal ng gobyerno ay mapapanagot,” he said, as Congress resumes session on Monday, Jan. 13.

(The impeachment is an important safeguard that ensures that high-ranking government officials are held accountable.)

Casiño emphasized that there was a strong public clamor in support of the impeachment against the Vice President.

He cited the recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, which showed that 41 percent of Filipinos were in favor of the impeachment.

“Malaking porsyento ito, patunay na maraming naniniwala dapat managot si VP Duterte sa kanyang paggamit ng confidential and intelligence funds,” said Casiño.

(This is a large percentage, proof that many believe that VP Duterte should be held accountable for her use of confidential and intelligence funds.)

Duterte is so far facing three impeachment complaints in the House. Complainants and endorsers of these raps have accused the official of betraying public trust over her alleged misuse of public funds, among other issues.

Casiño, a member of the Makabayan Coalition, said the House “risks becoming a rubber stamp” if it only acts at the whims of the President.

He said the findings of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability would be “wasted” if the legislative body fails to act on the complaints filed.

During the committee’s final hearing last year, both majority and minority congressmen cited the potential crimes committed by Duterte and her offices, which include plunder, malversation, falsification, and bribery.

However, the good government panel has yet to recommend the filing of such charges.

Casiño said that if Marcos was serious about his commitment to good governance, he must allow the allegations against the Vice President to be independently addressed.

“Otherwise, he risks repeating the same failures of accountability that plagued his father’s administration,” he added.