No impeachment talks during Marcos-House members ‘fellowship’ – lawmaker

Metro Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and House members have not discussed impeachment during Wednesday evening’s gathering in Malacañang, a lawmaker said on Thursday, Dec. 5.

House Deputy Majority Leader and La Union 1st District Rep. Paolo Ortega V said about 200 representatives went to the “Christmas fellowship,” wherein they expressed support to the president after the top official received threats from Vice President Sara Duterte.

The vice president is facing two impeachment complaints before the House of Representatives.

In a press briefing, Ortega was asked what happened during the gathering as there were speculations of impeachment talks against Duterte.

“Wala pong kahit anumang katotohanan ‘yung mga lumabas o na-speculate o iniisip ng ibang tao… Nagpasalamat ang pangulo na nakikita niya na buo po ang suporta ng House of Representatives sa kanya,” Ortega said in a press briefing.

[Translation:There is no truth to the speculations. The president was grateful that the House of Representatives’ support for him was solid.]

“Hindi nga po napag-usapan ‘yung pulitika. More on ang nasabi ng ating pangulo, kung ano ‘yung mga trabaho na ginagawa ng legislative, ng eksekutibo, magtrabaho lang tayo,” he said.

[Translation: Politics was not tackled. The president mostly said that we should continue our jobs in the legislative and executive branches.]

The lawmakers presented a manifesto of support signed by House Speaker Martin Romualdez, House Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe, and Senior Deputy Speaker Dong Gonzales Jr. among others.

The following were the principles and commitments declared under the manifesto:

+ defending the president as a symbol of the nation’s sovereignty

+ upholding the rule of law and democratic governance

+ protecting the nation from internal and external threats

+ promoting legislative unity for the nation’s welfare

+ ensuring the president’s mandate is fulfilled

“Recognizing the significant challenges facing the President and his administration, we unite in declaring our firm support for the President and his vision for a Bagong Pilipinas,” the manifesto stated.

“At all costs, we will stand united with President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to uphold and defend the Constitution, ensure the welfare of our people, and safeguard the future of our nation,” it added.

Marcos and Duterte, a winning tandem during the 2022 elections, are in a political rift which took a turn for the worst in recent weeks following Duterte’s remarks against the administration.