BBM, House leaders meet

2nd impeachment case filed vs VP

- By HELEN FLORES

Amid impeachment moves against Vice President Sara Duterte, President Marcos met with key members of the House of Representatives for several hours yesterday in what Malacañang described as a "fellowship."

The meeting took place at the Palace on the same day that a second impeachment case was filed against Duterte by several groups for alleged misuse of government funds.

"The gathering is meant to be a fellowship between the Office of the President and members of the House of Representatives, which was already scheduled some time ago. The event is for close-in coverage only," the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement.

The PCO was asked for comment on the meeting as several vehicles bearing "8" protocol plates, assigned to House members, lined up inside the Malacañang complex yesterday.

Marcos' meeting with House members sparked speculation that it was related to the ongoing impeachment charges against the President's ally-turned-arch critic.

Among those present at the meeting were Marcos' cousin, Speaker Martin Romualdez, and Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe.

The PCO has yet to provide details on the issues discussed with the President.

Malacañang has distanced itself from the filing of the impeachment complaint against the Vice President.

"The impeachment complaint filed in the House of Representatives by several private citizens is clearly the complainants’ independent initiative, and its endorsement, the prerogative of any member of the House of Representatives,” Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said in a statement on Tuesday.

“The Office of the President has nothing to do with it. The President’s earlier statement on the matter is unambiguous,” Bersamin added.