House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro, along with ACT Teachers Partylist Rep.-elect Antonio Tinio, criticized Senator Imee Marcos for prematurely declaring the failure of the impeachment bid against Vice President Sara Duterte. The lawmakers emphasized the importance of accountability and justice amid allegations of misuse of public funds.
“Ito ang hirap sa mga taong hindi sanay na pinapanagot sa mga kasalanan sa bayan tulad ni Sen. Marcos at VP Duterte. Akala nila na kahit magnakaw sila at ang kanilang pamilya ng bilyon-bilyon ay ok lang ito basta magpakalat lang sila ng fake news at disinformation para linlangin ang mga tao,” said Rep. France Castro.
(“This is the problem with people like Senator Marcos and VP Duterte who are not used to being held accountable for their wrongdoings against the nation. They think it is acceptable to steal billions as long as they spread fake news and disinformation to deceive the people.”)
Rep.-elect Antonio Tinio echoed Castro’s sentiments, stating that dismissive attitudes toward accountability set a dangerous precedent for government officials. “Paano na ang katarungan at accountability sa mamamayan kapag ganito ang mga namumuno? Limpak-limpak na pera ang di mapaliwanag saan ginastos at kung ano ang ginawa, tapos ok lang sa kanila,” Tinio said.
(“What will happen to justice and accountability for the people if this is the kind of leadership we have? Huge amounts of money remain unaccounted for, with no explanation of how it was spent or what it was used for, yet they think this is acceptable.”)
The lawmakers underscored the urgency of proceeding with the impeachment process to ensure that Vice President Duterte is held accountable for the alleged misuse of confidential funds. They warned that failing to act decisively would embolden other politicians to engage in similar misconduct.
“Kaya dapat na talagang masimulan na ng maayos ang impeachment at mapanagot si VP Duterte. Kung hindi, uulitin lang niya iyan at mas malaking halaga pa ang mawawala. Gagayahin din siya ng iba pang pulitiko,” Castro emphasized.
(“The impeachment process must be initiated properly, and VP Duterte must be held accountable. If not, she will just do it again, and even greater amounts will be lost. Other politicians will also follow her lead.”)
In response to Senator Imee Marcos’ claim that the impeachment bid is already “dead,” Castro and Tinio asserted that such statements are attempts to downplay the gravity of the allegations and divert public attention.
“Ang pagsasabing ‘talo na ang impeachment’ ay malinaw na pamamaraan ng pagpapalaganap ng kawalang pananagutan. Hindi dapat hinahayaan ang ganitong mindset sa pamahalaan,” Tinio concluded.
(“Declaring that ‘the impeachment is already dead’ is clearly a tactic to propagate impunity. This kind of mindset should not be tolerated in government.”)
The ACT Teachers representatives vowed to continue their pursuit of accountability and justice, stressing that public officials must answer to the people for any misuse of public funds. #
