Ched Rick Gatchalian

Article (news)

Proposed amendments to House Rules 'done': Defensor

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — The proposed amendments to the House Rules are “complete” and are expected to be adopted by the lower chamber after the House Committee on Justice begins deliberations on the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte.</p><p>This, according to House Rules Rewriting Committee Chairperson and House Senior Deputy Majority Leader Lorenz Defensor.</p><p>Defensor said the proposed amendments “respected” the Supreme Court decision on Duterte’s impeachment case, which interprets a “session day” as a calendar day when the House holds a session.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/9/sara-duterte-hit-with-third-impeachment-complaint-1237">Sara Duterte hit with third impeachment complaint</a></div><p>“We are done with the proposed amendments for the Rules of Procedure for the 20th Congress. We have made sure that we will maintain that the provisions of the Constitution remain in the Rules of House of Representatives. But we will respect the Supreme Court in terms of interpreting what a session day is for impeachment complaints. (10:14) Gusto lang namin sa aming rules na retain ang word na session day, kahit calendar day ang pagbilang nito pagdating sa rules on impeachment,” he told the media on Wednesday.</p><p>“For the Vice President impeachment complaints, we will follow the old rules. So we will be fair and we will be objective. The rules on impeachment followed during the Marcos complaint will be the same rules that we will follow for the Vice President Sara Duterte impeachment complaints. So walang nagbago, walang pinagkaiba, para patas at objective lang,” Defensor stressed.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/1/20/first-impeachment-case-vs-marcos-dead-on-arrival-in-house-says-lawmaker-1124">First impeachment complaint vs Marcos &#x27;unlikely to move forward&#x27; in House, says lawmaker</a></div><p>He asserted that an impeachment complaint endorsed by at least a third of House members should not go through the House Committee on Justice.</p><p>&quot;Dapat hindi ito dumaan sa Committee on Justice. Why? Because when the framers of the Constitution drafted that provision, ang naisip nila ay kung may napakasamang leader o Presidente na dapat agad-agarang matanggal sa pwesto, dapat hindi na ito dine-deliberate pa sa Committee on Justice, hindi na dadaan pa ito sa plenary. It should go to the Senate for trial, because we have to remove this despicable and despot leader kung mayroon man tayo balang araw. It&#x27;s a mechanism that protects the country and protects the institution,” Defensor explained.</p><p>“It must be clear to everyone na ang pagpirma ng one-third of all the members ay hindi lang nasa rules ng House of Representatives. It&#x27;s clearly written in the provisions of the Constitution and we will follow that without disrespecting the Supreme Court,” he added.</p><p>The House Committee on Rules is waiting for the impeachment complaints to be included by the House Speaker into the Order of Business, so that it can be referred to the House Committee on Justice.</p><p>Defensor said the House Speaker has until March 2 to do so. He gave assurances that the Rules Committee will act on it without delays.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/18/sara-duterte-announcement-of-presidential-bid-may-affect-voting-on-impeachment-solon-1629">Sara Duterte announcement of presidential bid may affect voting on impeachment— solon</a></div><p> “Sisiguraduhin naman namin sa Committee on Rules na walang delay ito para hindi masabing may bias ang Committee on Rules… The last day would be, I think if we are going to include all the three complaints, it will be March 2,” he said.</p><div> </div><div><strong>OBSTACLE?</strong> </div><p>The impeachment proceedings could be an obstacle to Duterte’s plan to run for President in 2028 if the complaints against her get enough support from the lower chamber and the Senate sitting as an impeachment court, according to House Senior Deputy Minority Leader Edgar Erice.</p><p>“Magiging balakid ‘yun, kasi kung… iko-convict siya ng Senado, hindi na siya makakatakbo,” he said.</p><p>“Kung ganoon naman mangyayari, ‘yung supporters nila magagalit. Baka mag-gather ng public sympathy, baka kahit sino’ng Duterte ang tumakbo, manalo,” Erice added.</p><div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/2/18/transcript-sara-duterte-announces-presidential-run-1143">TRANSCRIPT: Sara Duterte announces presidential run</a></div><p>He issued the statement after the Vice President announced on Wednesday her plans to seek the Presidency in 2028.</p>

<p>Defensor said the proposed amendments “respected” the Supreme Court decision on Duterte’s impeachment case, which interprets a “session day” as a calendar day when the House holds a session.</p>

Defensor said the proposed amendments “respected” the Supreme Court decision on Duterte’s impeachment case, which interprets a “session day” as a calendar day when the House holds a session.

Proposed amendments to House Rules 'done'; impeachment complaint endorsed by House majority should not go through House Committee on Justice: Defensor

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Proposed amendments to House Rules 'done'; impeachment complaint endorsed by House majority should not go through House Committee on Justice: Defensor

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 18, 2026 06:33 PM PHT

Read More:

House of Representatives

Sara Duterte

Impeachment

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.