MANILA — The National Unity Party (NUP) has signaled it is unlikely to back the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, declaring that without “new and material evidence,” it will most likely oppose the move once it reaches a vote in Congress.
In a strongly worded statement, the political party said the information presented so far fails to justify supporting the complaint, stressing that many of the issues cited have already been tackled in previous investigations and public hearings.
“At this stage, the NUP has not seen the inclusion of new and material evidence that would warrant a departure from issues that have already been the subject of prior inquiries and extensive public hearings,” the NUP said in a statement.
The party made clear, however, that its position is not entirely closed, noting it remains open to reconsideration should fresh evidence emerge during deliberations.
“Unless compelling new evidence emerges during the course of these hearings that fundamentally alters the factual basis for the impeachment complaint, the NUP will most likely not vote in favor of this measure,” it added.
The NUP also cautioned against turning impeachment into a political tool, underscoring that the constitutional mechanism must be used strictly for accountability.
“It is not a political instrument nor a forum for revisiting matters already exhaustively examined,” the NUP said.
“Rather, it is a solemn constitutional mechanism for enforcing accountability at the highest levels of public office, and should be evaluated carefully in light of the evidence presented,” it added.
While expressing reservations about the complaint, the party said it would continue monitoring the proceedings and weigh any new information presented during congressional review.
The NUP likewise reminded lawmakers to consider the broader national agenda, pointing out that impeachment proceedings demand significant time and government resources.
“The NUP believes that Congress must carefully allocate its time, focus, and institutional resources toward more pressing and urgent national concerns,” the NUP said.
“…Resources which we believe would be better directed toward matters that have a more immediate impact on the economic stability, public safety, and the daily welfare of Filipinos,” it added.
The impeachment complaint against Duterte-Carpio is set to undergo congressional review, where lawmakers will determine whether sufficient grounds exist to advance the process./PN
