ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro
Gabriela Women’s Rep. Arlene Brosas
Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel
February 19, 2025
We, the Makabayan bloc in Congress, strongly condemn Vice President Sara Duterte’s attempt to impede the impeachment trial by seeking a temporary restraining order (TRO) from the Supreme Court. This action is not only premature but also a blatant evasion of accountability.
“The Vice President’s move to halt the impeachment trial through the Supreme Court is a clear indication of her refusal to face the charges against her at the appropriate venue. The appropriate venue is the impeachment court not the Supreme Court. By resorting to legal maneuvers, she is reinforcing a troubling pattern of avoiding accountability,” remarked Rep. France Castro.
Rep. Arlene Brosas added, “Whatever happened to her earlier statement welcoming the impeachment and preparing her defense team? It is evident now that she is backtracking on her words. Hindi lang ito tungkol sa kanyang pagtanggi sa accountability, kundi pati sa kanyang mga salita.”
Rep. Raoul Manuel emphasized, “The proper venue for raising objections and addressing concerns is within the impeachment court, not through premature legal actions. It is disappointing to see the Vice President attempting to hinder the process instead of embracing it as an opportunity to defend herself, as she claimed she was ready to do. She is deceiving and confusing the few supporters she has left.”
The Makabayan bloc demands that due process be upheld and that the impeachment trial proceed accordingly. We call on the Supreme Court to reject any attempts to derail this constitutionally mandated process and ensure that accountability is upheld.
“Ang aming panawagan: Ituloy ang proseso ng impeachment at huwag hayaang hadlangan ito ng anumang legal na taktika. The Filipino people deserve transparency and answers from their leaders,” concluded the Makabayan bloc.#
