By ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro, GWP Rep. Arlene Brosas and Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel
We, the Makabayan bloc representatives, disagree with Senate President Chiz Escudero’s claim that impeachment is not “special” enough to warrant a special session of Congress. This position is not only legally unsound but serves to shield the Vice President from accountability.
“Impeachment is undoubtedly special as it is a constitutional process specifically designed to hold the highest officials of the land accountable for their actions,” Rep. France Castro emphasized. “Ang pag-impeach ay hindi ordinaryong proseso. Ito ay isang natatanging mekanismo na itinatag ng Konstitusyon upang siguraduhin na ang mga pinakamataas na opisyal ay mananagot sa kanilang mga kasalanan.”
The Constitution itself recognizes the exceptional nature of impeachment by limiting it to only a select few officials and requiring specific grounds. The process deals with the fundamental question of whether an impeachable official is fit to remain in office.
“How can Senate President Escudero claim that a process concerning the accountability of the second highest official of the land is not special?” questioned Rep. Arlene Brosas. “Kung hindi special ang impeachment, ano pa? This position only serves to protect Vice President Duterte from facing the serious allegations against her.”
We reiterate our call for President Marcos to immediately convene a special session for the purpose of constituting an impeachment court. Every day of delay benefits the Duterte camp and their ongoing efforts to evade accountability.
“The administration’s reluctance to move forward with the impeachment process raises serious questions about its commitment to accountability,” stated Rep. Raoul Manuel. “Ang bawat araw na dumadaan ay isang araw na pinapatagal ang hustisya at pinapalakas ang kampo ni Duterte?”
The Filipino people deserve to see this constitutional process through to its conclusion. The integrity of our democratic institutions depends on the proper functioning of accountability mechanisms.
“Hindi dapat ipagkait sa mamamayan ang kanilang karapatan na makita kung paano mananagot ang ikalawang pinakamataas na opisyal ng bansa,” the Makabayan bloc asserted. “The impeachment process is not a mere optional political exercise but a constitutional duty that must be fulfilled without delay.”
We call on all sectors of society to demand accountability and to reject any attempt to diminish the significance of the impeachment process. The truth must prevail, and justice must be served. Call on your senators to speak out. Call on the candidates to make their stand clear on the impeachment trial. Call on the President to once and for all settle the issue and make the decisive move of calling for a special session of Congress to enable the convening of an impeachment court at the soonest possible time. Let’s make our stand heard on the issue of pervasive corruption in government.#
