Senators' relatives did not sign impeachment complaint

Nine officials and members of the House of Representatives who are family members of eight incumbent senators did not sign the impeachment complaint filed against Vice President Sara Duterte.

- By DELON PORCALLA

Those who did not sign include members of the families of Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr., Senate President Francis Escudero, Senators Raffy Tulfo, Cynthia and Mark Villar, Joel Villanueva, Juan Miguel Zubiri and Nancy Binay. A total of 215 of the 306 members of the House of Representatives signed the impeachment complaint against the Vice President. Senators function as judges in an impeachment court.

Revilla's wife Lani Mercado of the second district of Cavite; their sons Jolo of the first district of the province, and Bryan of Agimat party-list did not vote for Duterte's impeachment. They belong to the supermajority coalition in the House, with the senator being the chairman of the ruling Lakas-CMD party.

House records also indicate Escudero's sister, Rep. Marie Bernadette of Sorsogon's first district; Tulfo's brother, House Deputy Majority Leader Erwin (ACT-CIS party-list); Cynthia Villar's daughter and Mark's sister, House Deputy Speaker Camille, did not affix their signatures in the impeachment suit.

Also not on the list were Bro. Eddie Villanueva of party-list Citizens Battle Against Corruption (Cibac) and Rep. Jose Maria Zubiri Jr. of Bukidnon's third district – fathers of senators Villanueva and Zubiri, respectively – and Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr., brother-in-law of Binay.