January 20, 2025
MANILA – A House of Representatives lawmaker has urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. not to interfere in the impeachment process against Vice President Sara Duterte, emphasizing that the government has a “constitutional duty” to pursue accountability.
“President Marcos should not interfere with the impeachment process. Congress has a constitutional duty to process this case immediately. The people deserve accountability and transparency,” House Deputy Minority leader Rep. France Castro said in a statement on Sunday.
Castro, along with former ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, urged lawmakers to act swiftly on the impeachment process, citing public demand for justice.
“If 103 endorsers are secured next week, the case can be immediately passed to the Senate, and there will be no issues with attendance or numbers, as the Senate will handle it from there,” Castro explained in Filipino.
“The Senate can then promptly tackle this or call for a special session if necessary,” she added.
READ: 4th impeach rap vs Sara Duterte may be filed soon – House exec
Tinio echoed Castro’s call, warning against allowing technicalities to obstruct the pursuit of justice.
“Accountability should not be set aside just because of technicalities or problems. We cannot allow procedural or election matters to obstruct justice,” Tinio said.
“When we dismiss accountability for technical reasons, we only embolden corrupt officials and weaken democratic institutions,” he added.
Castro likewise appealed to fellow lawmakers to prioritize good governance and accountability.
“This is not about politics — this is about upholding the principles of good governance and ensuring that public officials remain accountable to the Filipino people,” she said.
On Thursday, January 16, complainants and their supporters held a press conference following a Holy Mass at the Edsa Shrine in Quezon City to call for justice.
READ: Complainants urge House: Impeaching VP Duterte is ‘moral obligation’
The first impeachment complaint was filed last December 2, endorsed by Akbayan party-list Rep. Percival Cendaña.
The second was submitted on December 4 by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), while the third was filed on December 19, led by religious groups and lawyers.
“The impeachment process is not about personal grievances or political vendettas. It is a moral obligation to demand accountability from those in power,” the groups said in an open letter read at the conference.