2 weeks ago
10
Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!
Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Visit Suniway.ph to learn
House Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno speaks at a press conference on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025.
House of Representatives / Released
MANILA, Philippines — The National Unity Party dismissed speculation that it had met with House Speaker Bojie Dy and Majority Leader Sandro Marcos to discuss Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment proceedings or other projects.
In a statement on Tuesday, March 10, NUP Chair Ronaldo Puno denied rumors that his party "had any talks with the House leadership regarding impeachment, projects, or anything related to such."
He also said that no meetings are being planned or scheduled on these issues.
"Press reports regarding supposed meetings between the National Unity Party (NUP) and the Speaker or Majority Leader Sandro Marcos are not true," Puno said.
He reiterated his statement yesterday, March 9, saying that the political party's position on Duterte's impeachment will only be determined after its members review the evidence to be presented during the justice committee's hearings.
"It will never be the result of any influence or pressure from anyone," Puno added.
The deputy speaker clarified on Monday that the party has "not walked back" its position on the impeachment, despite his earlier statement that members would be allowed to cast a "conscience vote" and decide individually rather than follow a party line.
Puno said that the NUP needs to consider whether there is "new evidence" that would strongly prove Duterte committed the alleged impeachable offenses because the party "cannot vote in favor of a rehashed case."
He added that the party finds the information and evidence attached in the impeachment complaints filed against Duterte "weak and inconclusive."
The NUP is the second-largest political party in the House of Representatives, with around 40 members. It first released a statement concerning Duterte's impeachment proceedings on February 25, saying the party will "most likely not" support the impeachment.
On February 26, Puno said the party's initial statement did not yet represent a "uniform stand," even going so far as to say that members were "very divided" on the matter.
The justice committee voted 54-1 on March 4 in favor of the motion to declare the third and fourth impeachment complaints filed against Duterte as sufficient in substance. This means that the panel believes there is a clear recital of factual allegations and enough initial evidence to review in the next stage of proceedings.
Duterte has until March 15 to respond to the allegations cited in the impeachment complaints, which will be followed by a reply from the complainants and a rejoinder from the vice president before hearings will be conducted again.
She faces allegations of misusing P612.5 million in confidential funds from both the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, committing high crimes after issuing death threats against President Bongbong Marcos, and amassing unexplained wealth, as well as bribery.
