MANILA – House Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong said Tuesday that no national emergency should excuse the House of Representatives from addressing complaints filed under the Constitution.
Responding to calls to delay impeachment proceedings amid the ongoing energy crisis, Adiong, a member of the House Justice Committee, underscored that the chamber can simultaneously tackle urgent issues and uphold its legal obligations regarding Vice President Sara Duterte.
“The country’s pressing challenges can be managed effectively without setting aside constitutional duties,” said Adiong, chair of the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms.
He noted that the government is already responding to the international crisis stemming from the conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran, including measures to stabilize the energy sector.
“The President has declared an energy emergency and created the UPLIFT committee to manage the global crisis’ impact. This work can move forward alongside impeachment proceedings,” he said.
Adiong emphasized that the House must act on complaints filed by private citizens and endorsed by legislators, and that emergencies should not prevent the chamber from fulfilling its constitutional role.
He also cited recent congressional actions, such as excise tax suspensions on imported petroleum, as proof that the legislature can address multiple priorities at once.
“Congress has already shown it can manage economic and energy concerns while performing its duties. Multi-tasking is possible,” Adiong said.
The lawmaker concluded that public officials cannot use crises as a rationale to ignore the House’s constitutionally mandated responsibilities.
ia/xf
