ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro and Vice President Sara Duterte. Photos from the House of Representatives

MANILA, Philippines — ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro does not feel that there is a fourth impeachment complaint being prepared against Vice President Sara Duterte, noting that her fellow lawmakers have not spoken about it.

In a briefing on Thursday, Castro said it would be better if there would be a fourth complaint since House of Representatives Secretary General Reginald Velasco said that a group of 12 Majority and Minority lawmakers are looking to fast-track the impeachment proceedings by having one-third of all House members sign the new petition.

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However, if there would be no fourth complaint, Castro said the three raps lodged at Velasco’s office must already be forwarded to House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

“That pronouncement was made a long time ago, we do not know if these statements are true or not.  That’s why it would be better if there would be a fourth complaint so that it would be quicker. But I do not see any signal from our colleagues in the House, because even if you ask them, they do not know anything,” Castro said in Filipino.

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“That’s why if there would be no fourth impeachment complaint, they have to act on the three existing raps,” she added.

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When asked if lawmakers have contacted her and other impeachment endorsers about a consolidation of all complaints, Castro said there is none. She also reiterated that this also makes her feel that there is no fourth complaint.

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“If there is really a fourth complaint, we need to unify all the three complainants or endorsers, so that we will have a complete and strong impeachment complaint. That’s why it’s saddening because I really don’t feel that there’s a fourth complaint because I have been asking colleagues, even those from the Young Guns, they have no answer,” she said in Filipino.

“Maybe they are just being cautious. So, for me, why do they have to keep it secret if there is really a fourth complaint, right? That should not be kept secret because the people are really waiting for accountability, to hold Sara Duterte accountable for the alleged misuse of confidential funds and the budget of the Department of Education,” she added.

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Thursday marks the last day for the lawmakers supposedly behind the fourth complaint to submit their petition before the Office of the Secretary-General, as Velasco placed a self-imposed deadline last January 14.

Velasco said if no fourth complaint was filed, he would forward the three petitions to Romualdez.

Last January 2, Velasco said his office got information that there may be a fourth impeachment complaint against Duterte. He also said if no fourth rap was filed, he would consult first with lawmakers who want to endorse the three complaints and would give potential complainants some time to file another complaint.

READ: VP Sara Duterte might face 4th impeachment rap – House

READ: Velasco: VP Sara impeach raps to be processed if no new cases are coming

Camps have aired their frustration about the lack of action regarding moves to remove Duterte from office.  Former senator Leila de Lima said the House leadership’s decision to delay the impeachment proceedings might send wrong signals.

In separate advisories, Cleanfuel and Shell Pilipinas said diesel prices would climb by 90 centavos, while gasoline would increase by 45 centavos a liter.

Effective immediately, Memorandum Order No. 40 seeks to protect the local poultry population and Filipino consumers from the effects of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

De Lima is the spokesperson of the first batch of complainants.

READ: De Lima: House delaying impeachment vs VP Sara sends wrong signals

On Wednesday, Castro and her colleagues at the Makabayan bloc said it seemed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was a “stumbling block” to the impeachment as his allies at the House seemed to heed his view that removing Duterte was just a waste of time.

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READ: Marcos a ‘stumbling block’ to VP Duterte’s impeachment – solons234win

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