House impeachment work not slowing flood response – Deputy Speaker Garin

By Zaldy De Layola, Philippine News Agency
August 11, 2026

Photo courtesy: PNA

MANILA – Deputy Speaker Janette Garin on Monday rejected claims that the House of Representatives is prioritizing the impeachment proceedings over the needs of communities affected by heavy rains and flooding caused by tropical cyclones and the southwest monsoon or “habagat.”

Garin said the House has been coordinating with concerned government agencies on flood relief and recovery while continuing to perform its constitutional responsibilities in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.

“Unang-una, hindi naman totoong hindi inaatupag ang problema ng taumbayan (First of all, it’s not true that the people’s problems are being taken for granted),” Garin said during an online press briefing.

She said Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III and Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos have been coordinating daily with the Office of Civil Defense, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and Department of Health.

She credited the DSWD for prepositioning relief supplies closer to communities before flooding occurred instead of keeping all stocks in regional offices.

Garin said House leaders were monitoring the government’s response, particularly the DSWD’s relief operations, to identify gaps and determine which programs may require additional funding during the budget process.

“Nakatutok lang doon ang liderato ng Kongreso para makita namin, papasok ang budget season, kung ano ba ‘yung kailangang i-augment at paano mas maging efficient (Congress leaders are focused on that so that we could monitor what should be augmented and how to make it efficient especially now that we’re approaching the budget season),” she said.

She also cited the provision of water containers and purification tablets in evacuation centers as among the supplies being monitored to determine how lawmakers could assist through their congressional oversight powers.

“Hindi puwedeng mahinto ‘yung usapin ng accountability kasi (The issue of accountability can’t be discontinued because) it’s part of our constitutional duty,” Garin said.

The impeachment case against Duterte includes allegations of culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust over the alleged misuse, misappropriation and irregular disbursement of PHP612.5 million in confidential funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education.

The House prosecution has presented evidence questioning the withdrawal, use and liquidation of the funds, while Duterte’s defense has the opportunity to challenge the allegations and present its own evidence.

Garin said ensuring accountability in the use of public funds remains part of Congress’ responsibility even as the government responds to flooding and other disasters. (PNA)