Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero Speaks on Vice Pres. Sara Duterte Impeachment Complaint
CHIZ ESCUDERO – The Senate President gave a message for the senators on the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Undeniably, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte is the most controversial politician in the Philippines now. Aside from a summon issued by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), a group of Filipinos also filed for an impeachment complaint against the Vice President.
Sixteen (16) individuals signed an impeachment complaint against Vice Pres. Duterte. Former Senator Leila de Lima is the spokesperson of the complainants. One of them is the grandson of the late former Sen. Ninoy Aquino.
According to former Sen. Leila de Lima, her role as the spokesperson of the complainants is not a form of revenge against the Dutertes. She stressed that being vengeful is not in her nature and she has her lawyers who plan of filing charges against former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, his “enablers”, and the people who followed his instructions.
De Lima was detained for over six (6) years due to drug charges which were later on dismissed. According to the former Senator, she feels that the complainants deserve her help as they are doing what is allegedly “right”.
Amid the impeachment complaint against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte, Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero called to his fellow senators to refrain from commenting on the issue. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the Senate President stressed that it may affect the integrity of the impeachment trial if the matter reaches the Senate.
“Should the Senate be called upon to act as an impeachment court, any perception of bias or pre-judgment would undermine not only the integrity of the impeachment trial but also the public’s trust in the Senate as an institution,” Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero said.
Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero stressed that the members of the upper chamber must approach an impeachment case with impartiality and objectivity. Based on the report, the Senate President said that in case of impeachment, the political divisions should not affect their legislative work.
“We have a duty to enact laws that respond to the needs of our people, address urgent national concerns, and strengthen our republic,” he said.
Among the lawmakers, Sen. Imee Marcos is one of those who has aired her side on the impeachment plan against Vice Pres. Sara Duterte. She is against the impeachment plan against the Vice President despite her tirades on the Marcoses.