Metro Manila, Philippines – The National Unity Party (NUP) will unlikely support the impeachment proceedings filed against Vice President Sara Duterte unless new evidence emerges.
The House’s second-largest political party said on Wednesday, Feb. 25, that it has “not seen inclusion of new and material evidence” in relation to the four impeachment cases.
The party said that only “compelling new evidence” will make them vote in favor of the measure, adding that the contents of the complaints have already been discussed by lawmakers and were deliberated during previous public hearings.
“Unless compelling new evidence emerges during the course of these hearings that fundamentally alters the factual basis for the impeachment complaint, the NUP will most likely not vote in favor of this measure.”
The NUP assured the public that it is prepared to assess new evidence should any arise and analyze it “on their merits, guided solely by the Constitution and the rule of law.”
The party suggested that Congress instead focus on other national issues that address “economic stability, public safety, and the daily welfare of Filipinos.”
“The NUP believes that Congress must carefully allocate its time, focus, and institutional resources toward more pressing and urgent national concerns,” it said.
The impeachment complaints, alleging Duterte committed betrayal of public trust, bribery, and graft and corruption, and other crimes, mainly focused on her supposed misuse of confidential funds.
The House justice committee will discuss the complaints on March 2.
Palace: Number of Marcos’ support not part of issue
Meanwhile, Malacañang said it’s up to the NUP to decide on the issue.
“Kung ano ‘yong desisyon nila, malamang ‘yon ‘yong nakikitang magiging magandang aksyon para sa kanilang political party,” Communication Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a briefing on Thursday, Feb. 26.
[Translation: If that’s their decision, maybe they saw it was the best action of their political party.]
She added that the party’s move has nothing to do with the president’s support in Congress.
“Wag natin isingit, ilagay sa issue ang numero ng pangulo sa House of Representatives,” Castro said. “Ang pangulo ay bumabase sa proseso at sa ebidensiya. Kung ano ‘yong makikitang ebidenisya, ‘yon lamang ang kanilang isulong.”
[Translation: Let us not include the issue of the president’s numbers in the House of Representatives. The president follows the process and the evidence. Let them move based on the evidence.]
In 2024, the alliance between Marcos and Duterte fell through after accusations of drug use, with the rift deepening over differences in foreign policy and other issues.
