Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña and Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima clarified Monday that the withdrawal of the second impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte was not a retreat but a strategic move to strengthen the case.
“Gusto ko pong diinan, hindi po ito pag-atras. Ito po ay pag-sulong na gusto nating matiyak na isang air-tight case ang aakyat sa Senado sa lalong madaling panahon,” Cendaña said in a chance interview.
The lawmakers, together with civil society group Tindig Pilipinas, formally submitted a withdrawal letter to the Office of the Secretary General ahead of the House Committee on Justice hearing. Three other verified impeachment complaints against Duterte remain pending.
De Lima explained that consolidating similar complaints would streamline proceedings and avoid delays.
“We don’t see any problem… tinutulungan pa nga ng second group of complainants yung kumite na mapabilis na ma-consolidate yung efforts lalo na pagdating sa evidentiary stage of the proceedings,” she said.
The withdrawal letter emphasized that the move was meant to expedite accountability and prevent Duterte’s camp from questioning the filing schedule.
De Lima also noted the committee’s limited time frame:
“Ilan na lang ang session days remaining? Kasi mayroon deadline [na] hahabulin ang House, yan ay dapat mag-adjourn sine die, mai-transmit na ang articles of impeachment sa senado. Yan po ang constitutional deadline na hinahabol natin,” she explained.
The House justice panel has 60 session days to complete its work and submit its report to the plenary. Despite the withdrawal, Tindig Pilipinas will continue participating in the proceedings as interested parties.