by Renato Reyes Jr., BAYAN president
Mark Villar’s alignment with the majority is hardly surprising, given that the Villar family faces multiple cases involving corruption, alleged asset overvaluation, and insider trading under the Marcos Jr regime.
Is this realignment a sneak peek at a potential vote to convict—negotiated in exchange for dropping the charges against the Villars? Nagkaroon na ba ng aregluhan sa kaso ng mga Villar? Nagagamit ba ang boto sa impeachment para ibasura ang ibang kaso ng korapsyon? Makakalusot na ba sila sa pananagutan dahil lang tumawid si Mark?
And why the hell is Mark Villar being given chairmanship of the Senate Public Works Committee when he is dripping with conflict of interest and when corruption was rampant during his stint as DPWH secretary????!!!
What does this maneuvering say about our political system? Consider the convenience of political dynasties: siblings Mark and Camille can split their votes—one convicting, the other acquitting—to enjoy the best of both worlds. May nakataya kay Marcos, may nakataya kay Duterte. Protektado ang interes ng pamilya anuman ang resulta. Ganyan ang bentahe ng mga political dynasty sa isang bulok na sistema.
While supporters of the impeachment seek a Duterte conviction based on evidence, we are increasingly confronted with the reality that elite factional rivalries drive these votes. Mula sa simula hanggang ngayon, ang matinding biyak sa mga paksyon ng UniTeam, kasabay ng pagsambulat ng protesta kontra korapsyon, ang mga salik kung bakit tayo umabot sa ganitong yugto ng impeachment.
We must continue demanding that the impeachment trial reach its logical conclusion: let evidence be presented and accountability served. However, the standards of evidence and accountability used to judge Sara Duterte must also apply to Marcos Jr. and other top officials, including senators. Only then can we claim that justice in the Philippines is not selective.
That burden falls on the people, as we cannot rely on politicians to hold one another accountable. Patuloy tayong magbantay at kumilos hanggang sa managot ang lahat ng sangkot sa korapsyon. Huwag nating hayaang maging kasangkapan lang ang impeachment para makalusot ang mga maysala. Kumilos tayo upang baguhin ang bulok na sistemang ito. #
