The House of Representatives said it remains focused on passing priority measures while preparing for the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Marikina City Rep. Miro Quimbo said the chamber has shown that it can perform its legislative duties while carrying out its constitutional role in the impeachment process.
“Tingin ko naman ng pinapakita sa araw na ito, especially sa last week ng regular session of the 20th Congress, ay pinapakita ng House of Representatives na kaya naming gampanan ’yung iba’t ibang functions na ipinapataw sa amin ng Saligang Batas,” Quimbo said in a press conference.
Quimbo, chairperson of the House Committee on Ways and Means, said lawmakers have continued acting on priority bills covering the economy, social protection, transparency, governance, and citizens’ rights despite the demands of the impeachment proceedings.
“Patuloy naming inaararo ang lupa para lumabas ang mga tamang tanim pagdating sa legislation,” he said.
“At nakikita natin na for various issues na talagang kinakailangang ma-address, whether in terms of the economy, whether in terms of ’yung karapatan ng mga ordinaryong mamamayan, transparency and accountability, ay ginagawa namin,” he added.
At the same time, Quimbo said the House remains committed to its constitutional responsibility under the impeachment provisions of the 1987 Constitution.
“Yet at the same time, ginagawa rin ’yung constitutional duty pagdating sa Article 11, Section 2 ng Saligang Batas on impeachment,” he said.
The House earlier impeached Duterte and transmitted the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate, which has convened as an impeachment court.
Quimbo said the public should see that the chamber remains functional despite handling legislation and impeachment-related duties at the same time.
His remarks came as the House moves to complete work on key priority measures while its prosecution panel prepares for the impeachment trial before the Senate.