Progressive groups hailed the impeachement of Vice President Sara Duterte by the House of Representatives on Wednesday, saying it is an important moment in the nation’s history.
In a statement, Bayan Muna Partylist second nominee Carlos Isagani Zarate said Duterte’s indictment “marks a pivotal moment in our nation’s pursuit of accountability and good governance.”
“This day of reckoning underscores the principle that no high official, regardless of their position, is above the law,” the former lawmaker said.
Zarate added that the House of Representatives (HOR) decision is a reminder to public officials to never abuse the public’s trust and they should serve with integrity and transparency.
With 215 members voting for Duterte’s impeachment, the HOR passed the minimum requirement of 102 affirmative votes, a third of the 306-member chamber.
The HOR voted on a fourth impeachment complaint that is largely based on three earlier complaints filed by various groups, including progressive organizations such as the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan.
The house leadership took its time to act on the earlier complaints, giving way to fears that there is no longer enough time for an impeachment trial at the Senate.
The HOR filed the impeachment to the Senate on the same night but adjourned without comment on the matter, Kodao sources said.
Chances are, the Senate would officially comment when it reconvenes on June 2, the sources added.
Bayan Muna first nominee Neri Colmenares however said the Senate has enough time as it could schedule hearings until the end of June when half of the members have to either step down or continue as senators with fresh mandates.
Colmenares said it would even be better if the impeachment trial is held after the elections in May as the senators would no longer be influenced by their electoral fortunes.
“Remember, they only need to find Duterte guilty of one of the allegations to convict her,” Colmenares said.
Duterte is accused of betraying public trust due to her inability to properly account for hundreds of millions of pesos in so-called confidential and intelligence funds (CIF) as education secretary, among other complaints.
Abolish CIF
Karapatan said that Duterte’s impeachment is a win for the Filipino people and should lead to the abolition of the CIF.
“The impeachment process should logically lead to the abolition of confidential and intelligence funds which have become the fascists’ war chest and pork barrel,” Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay said.
“It should also be a stark reminder that we should fight more fiercely against systemic corruption and traditional patronage politics as among the main factors that have resulted in years of impoverished conditions of Filipinos,” she added.
Former youth representative and Gabriela Women’s Partylist representative Sarah Elago meanwhile said Wednesday’ development is an initial victory in the people’s fight against corruption and abuse of power.
“This impeachment process should also serve as a watershed moment in our fight against the corrupt confidential funds system. It must pave the way for comprehensive reforms in government spending, particularly the abolition of confidential funds that have long been used as a tool for corruption,” Elago demanded. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
