Latest news with #Cendaña
GMA Network
5 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
SC urged anew to junk Sara Duterte bid to dismiss impeach raps
Akbayan party-list Representative Perci Cendaña on Friday asked the Supreme Court to junk Vice President Sara Duterte's bid to dismiss the impeachment case against her, saying questions on the matter can only be legally settled before the Senate impeachment court. In his motion to intervene, Cendaña said the Vice President's petition is legally infirm because only one impeachment complaint was initiated against her—a submission which he said is compliant with the Charter. "The Vice President's petition is legally unsound. Ang reklamo nila, na-violate raw ang one-year ban on initiating impeachment complaints. Apat ang impeachment complaints na na-file, pero isa lang doon ang initiated, at 'yun ang verified complaint na ipinasa ng more than one-third ng House members," Ceñdana said in a statement. (The Vice President's petition is legally unsound. They argue that the one-year ban on initiating impeachment complaints was violated. Four impeachment complaints were filed, but only one was initiated, and that is the verified complaint that was passed by more than one-third of House members.) Cendaña cited the Supreme Court decision on the Francisco v. House of Representatives, wherein the High Court ruled that an impeachment complaint is initiated either by: (1) the act of filing a complaint and its referral or endorsement of the complaint to the House Committee on Justice, or (2) the filing by at least one-third of the members of the House of Representatives of a verified complaint or resolution of impeachment. "Minabuti nating mag-file ng motion to intervene dahil malapit nang magsimula ang session ng 20th Congress. Naniniwala tayong sa Senado ang tamang venue para litisin ang impeachment complaint ni VP Sara—hindi sa Supreme Court. Kung dinidinig ng mataas na korte ang petition ng VP, dapat mas dinggin nila ang sambayanan," Cendaña said. (We filed a motion to intervene because the 20th Congress is about to start. We believe that the Senate is the appropriate venue to try the impeachment case against the Vice President, not the Supreme Court. If the High Court is hearing out the Vice President, the more it should listen to the call of the people.) "The three impeachment complaints were not referred to the Committee on Justice and do not qualify as initiated complaints since they were archived by the House plenary after the fourth impeachment complaint was endorsed by more than one-third of the House members. Only the fourth complaint qualifies as such. Therefore, lahat ng ginawa sa House ay ayon Rules of Impeachment na nakabatay sa Saligang Batas," Cendaña added. (The House's actions on the impeachment complaints are all in accordance with the Constitution.) GMA News Online has requested comment from Duterte's legal team and the Office of the Vice President, but these have yet to respond as of posting time. Cendaña said the Supreme Court has the duty to ensure accountability of public officials. "Will the Supreme Court uphold the Constitution and its doctrines? Or will it save Sara and other government officials who abuse power? Nagbabantay ang taumbayan (The people are watching)," Cendaña said. Earlier, the House of Representatives also asked the Supreme Court to junk the Vice President's petition, arguing that questions about the impeachment are best discussed and resolved before the Senate impeachment court. The SC required the House to submit information regarding the status of the first three impeachment complaints filed against Duterte, the exact dates these were endorsed, and whether the House Secretary General possesses discretion on when to transmit these to the Speaker of the House of Representatives. In a notice dated July 8, the SC en banc consolidated the petition filed by Duterte against the validity and constitutionality of the fourth impeachment complaint against her and the petition filed by lawyer Israelito Torreon and others seeking to declare the articles of impeachment null and void. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
7 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
SONA should not be red carpet affair amid flood devastation — solon
The fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. should do away with lavish preparations amid the devastation caused by heavy floods due to multiple tropical storms and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), according to Akbayan party-list Representative Perci Cendaña. 'Lavish preparations for the yearly address would be tone deaf to affected communities. This is not the time for pomp. This is the time for empathy, humility, and decisive action. Ang panawagan ko sa mga kapwa ko mambabatas na kusa na nating gawing payak ang pagdaos ng SONA,' Cendaña said. (I appeal to my fellow lawmakers to make the SONA simple.) 'It is the height of insensitivity if we will roll out the red carpet for SONA when our constituents and their families don't even have roofs over their heads,' Cendaña maintained. Instead of colorful displays, Cendaña said the SONA is intended by the Constitution for the President to report to the people on the current status of the country. 'Malaki ang inaasahan ng mamamayan sa SONA ng Pangulo. Marami silang tanong na nangangailangan ng agarang sagot sa Pangulo. Isa na diyan kung nasaan ang agarang tulong sa mga nasalanta at kung bakit tila lumalala ang problema ng pagbaha sa kabila ng bilyun-bilyong piso na ginugugol natin taon-taon sa mga flood control projects,' Cendaña said. (The public expects so much from the President's SONA. They want immediate answers from the President. Among these is where is the much needed help to those who were affected by the floods and why is the situation worsening despite the billions of pesos being spent annually for flood control projects.) The President is scheduled to deliver his SONA on Monday, July 28, 2025, after the opening of the First Regular Session of the 20th Congress. House spokesperson Princess Abante earlier said that the physical gathering for the President's fourth SONA will proceed amid the inclement weather. — RF, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
22-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Akbayan eyes West PH Sea bloc in House
Akbayan to lead the formation of a WPH bloc in the House (Photo from Akbayan party-list) Reelected Akbayan party-list Representative Perci Cendaña on Thursday vowed to mount a West Philippine Sea (WPS) bloc in the House of Representatives to boost efforts in defending the country's sovereign territorial rights, which have come under threat from China's aggressions. 'The WPS bloc in Congress will be a bloc of champions of sovereignty, those who firmly believe that WPS is ours. This bloc of lawmakers believe that we should be harnessing our resources, and are against any encroachment by China," Cendaña said in a press conference ahead of the third Atin Ito coalition civilian mission featuring a concert near the Pag-asa Island on May 26 to 30, 2025. Likewise, Cendaña said Akbayan will push for a bill on the mandatory teaching of West Philippine Sea history and geography in schools and declaring July 12 of every year as West Philippine Sea Victory Day. He added his group would also pitch for the establishment of a West Philippine Sea Institute mandated to conduct research, protect marine resources, and develop educational programs to raise public awareness and national pride. It was on July 12, 2016 when the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis." The decision also ruled that the Ayungin Shoal, the Spratly Islands, Panganiban or Mischief Reef, and Recto or Reed Bank are within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Further, the Hague court outlawed Chinese aggression in the Philippines' EEZ by stating that Scarborough Shoal, a rich fish resource, is a common fishing ground. 'We hope that this bloc will also be the chariot for the two important legislatures that I've mentioned. West Philippine Sea Victory Day and the establishment of the West Philippine Sea Institute. So, issue-based itong block na ito,' Cendaña, the second nominee of Akbayan party-list, said. 'We will use facts and education to counter the lies, propaganda, and fake news being peddled by the Chinese government and its agents in the country,' added Akbayan first nominee Chel Diokno. China has never recognized the Hague court ruling to this day and is undeterred in deploying aggression against Philippine vessels and personnel, including firing water cannons and ramming Filipino-manned coastguard and fishing vessels. On May 22, the Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) reported an aggressive interference by the China Coast Guard against two Philippine civilian vessels conducting a routine marine scientific research mission in the vicinity of Pag-asa Cay 2 (Sandy Cay) which lies within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone in the WPS.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
07-02-2025
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Lawmakers respond to VP Sara Duterte's 'God Save the Philippines' statement amid impeachment
Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña responded to Vice President Sara Duterte's call for divine intervention with criticism, suggesting that she had failed to save key areas under her leadership, including the Department of Education (DepEd) and the West Philippine Sea. Cendaña warned against invoking God's name when Duterte had not acted on corruption or other pressing issues. Get the latest news instantly on your phone—join the Filipino Times WhatsApp channel now! He also condemned her lighthearted comparison of the impeachment complaint to a failed relationship, asserting that public service and accountability should take precedence. Cendaña further criticized Duterte's denial of accusations regarding her involvement in an alleged assassination plot, claiming it deepened her political downfall. Meanwhile, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, along with Cendaña, stressed the importance of due process over calls for resignation. Barbers also rejected claims that signatories of the impeachment complaint were bribed, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability. He clarified that President Marcos had no influence over the House's actions, and echoed that all Filipinos pray for the country's well-being, though he suggested that Duterte's use of 'God save the Philippines' might simply be a slogan.
