Senate formally receives articles of impeachment vs VP Sara Duterte from House

MANILA (UPDATED) -- Senate Secretary Renato Bantug on Wednesday (February 5) formally received the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte from his House counterpart, Secretary General Reginald Velasco, just hours after 215 out of 306 members of the lower chamber endorsed the impeachment complaint.

Velasco arrived in the Senate at 4:47 p.m. to transmit the verified complaint for impeachment.

"Dala na namin including the complaint itself, the signatures of 215 congressmen who filed and endorsed this complaint. We also have the list of prosecutors as approved by the plenary today," Velasco said.  

READ: House impeaches VP Sara Duterte

Prior to coming to the Senate, Velasco said he had called Bantug.

"Kaninang after lunch ko tinawagan yung counterpart ko when we're sure na makukuha na yung numbers," Velasco said. 

"Na dadalhin ko na yung impeachment complaint endorsed by at least one third. Ngayon po more than one third. This is about 70% of the House members of 306 members. Two hundred fifteen po ang pumirma."

Velasco said they were certain they could enforce the impeachment after getting more than 102 votes. 

According to him, it is the Senate's prerogative if it will tackle the complaint before they go on break for the midterm elections. February 5 is the last day of session for both houses of Congress. 

"Depende na po sa Senado yun, we will respect whatever decision they have. Pero yun po, it is their constitutional duty to act on this impeachment complaint," Velasco said. 

Asked if the Senate can convene when it resumes in June, Velasco said: "Puwede rin po. Puwede naman sila hong mag-convene ng court even during the break because this is a none legislative function of the Senate."

He assured that the 11 members of the prosecution team from the lower house are ready if the impeachment proceedings will commence. Private prosecutors may also be assigned to the team.