By Billy Begas
House Deputy Speaker and Negros Occidental Rep. Albee Benitez expressed belief that more lawmakers would support the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte after seeing the evidence presented during the impeachment proceedings.
In an interview on Bilyonaryo News Channel’s On Point, award-winning broadcast journalist Pinky Webb asked Benitez whether the 215 votes garnered during Duterte’s first impeachment would be achieved again.
“Well, I think, judging from my colleagues, more and more are convinced that the evidence are strong. And remember, it’s probable cause. It’s really not to determine whether she’s guilty or not,” he said.
“I think it will probably be more than 215,” Benitez added.
The solon noted that the first impeachment complaint against Duterte did not pass through the House Committee on Justice and went straight to the plenary for voting.
“So now there have been hearings and a lot of us think that it should go to trial,” he added.
Benitez said that there are so many questions that were left unanswered after the impeachment hearings since Duterte did not participate.
“Andaming tanong kasi that needs to be answered, that was never answered,” he said.
Among these questions, Benitez said, is the alleged undeclared assets in Duterte’s Statement of Assets Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) and the questionable bank transactions amounting to billions.
“Where did the money come from? Where did the money go? Why is there a discrepancy or unreported SALN assets?” the solon said.
“So andaming mga tanong na dapat sagutin. And that’s the reason why I think my colleagues… eh marami talagang na-convince na dapat ipadala sa Senate for trial,” he added.
The House of Representatives is set to vote on Monday on whether to adopt the recommendation of the House Justice panel to impeach Duterte and transmit the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate for trial.
The votes of at least 106 of the 318 House members are needed to impeach Duterte.—Politiko.com.ph
