GMA, pro-Duterte lawmakers skip impeachment voting

MANILA, Philippines — Is there a falling out between former president and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Vice President Sara Duterte?

Arroyo was notably absent at Monday’s plenary session where 257 of 318 members of the House of Representatives voted to impeach the Vice President.

Records from the office of House Secretary-General Cheloy Garafil showed Arroyo was among 26 lawmakers who “did not participate” in the voting.

Arroyo, chairman emeritus of Lakas-CMD, is a known political ally of Duterte. The latter was instrumental in installing her as speaker in July 2018, after Pantaleon Alvarez was ousted.

Other lawmakers seen as allies of Duterte were also absent.

These included Sorsogon 1st District Rep. Bernadette Escudero, sister of Sen. Francis Escudero, and two members of fugitive congressman Zaldy Co’s party-list group Ako Bicol – Alfredo Garbin Jr. and Jan Chan.

Also absent were Eddie Villanueva of Citizens Battle Against Corruption party-list, House Deputy Speaker Kristine Meehan-Singson and Rep. Ronald Singson of Ilocos Sur 1st district.

Rep. Jernie Jett Nisay of Pusong Pinoy party-list, who filed the first impeachment complaint against Duterte, was likewise absent, along with Reps. Claudine Diana Bautista-Lim and Claude Bautista.

The 16 other absentees included Reps. Rebecca Ynares, Christopher Yap, Arthur Yap, Emigdio Tanjuatco III, Eddiebong Plaza, Jerry Evangelista Perez, Ma. Nina Francesca Lacson, Dennis Hernandez, Jose Arturo Garcia, Alfred delos Santos, Midy Cua, Alfelito Bascug, Arlyn Ayon, Cheeno Miguel Almario, Jose Manuel Alba and Ustadz Yusop Alano.

Nine lawmakers, meanwhile, abstained from voting: Pepito Alvarez, Edgar Erice, Audrey Zubiri, Jonathan Keith Flores, Sergio Dagooc, Jorge Daniel Bocobo, Ricardo Cruz Jr., Bai Dimple Mastura and Steve Chiongbian Solon.

On the affirmative side, Rep. Toby Tiangco of Navotas City agreed to impeach the Vice President, saying: “It is not easy to vote yes. The timing is grave – amid a crisis in the Middle East and when our countrymen are struggling. What is needed are laws that would directly help them. But our Constitution is also clear, that there is a process and time to resolve impeachment.”

“Some would say the House has no moral authority because of corruption issues and with no one held accountable yet. True, and this should be addressed. But this should not be made a reason to defer or ignore the smaller issues that also need to be answered. Accountability is not selective,” he added.

Rep. Rufus Rodriguez of Cagayan de Oro’s 2nd district and Escudero’s ally, Rep. Manuel “Wowo” Fortes Jr., also both surprisingly voted “yes” to the impeachment, as they had earlier been seen as possible blocks to the move.

Among the 25 lawmakers who voted “no” were Reps. Bong Suntay, Paolo Marcoleta, Robert Nazal, Isidro Ungab, Roger Mercado, Kristine Alexie Tutor, Leandro Leviste, Francisco Barzaga, Maria Vanessa Aumentado and Shirlyn Bañas-Nograles.

Also voting against the impeachment were Reps. Paolo Duterte, Omar Vincent Duterte, Harold James Duterte, Dale Corvera, Nelson Dayanghirang Jr., Rachel del Mar, Karen Hope Flores-Garcia, Ramil Hernandez, Isidro Lumayag, Rolando Ledesma Macasaet and Laarni Lavin Roque.

Others included Sun Judal Shimura, Richelle Singson, Girlie Veloso and Julius Cesar Vergara.

The House will transmit  the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate after the vote.