BAGONG Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Panay strongly condemns the Marcos administration and its allies in the Senate for delaying the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte — a blatant act of political accommodation in the aftermath of the recently concluded midterm elections.
Even if PBBM believes he does not have the numbers to convict Duterte, the impeachment trial must still proceed. The Filipino people deserve to see evidence on how the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education misused public funds.
By refusing to exercise its mandate and convene as an impeachment court, the Senate, led by Sen. Francis Escudero, is effectively granting Duterte a free pass — setting a dangerous precedent of impunity.
Impeachment is a democratic process designed to hold plunderers and corrupt public officials accountable. It is not a decorative provision in our Constitution — it is a weapon of the people to defend public interest.
The ₱125 million is no small sum. That amount could have built 100 classrooms at ₱1.25 million each, purchased 50,000 sacks of rice at ₱2,500 per sack, or procured 2,500 hospital beds at ₱50,000 each. These are the urgent needs of the people. Yet while millions go hungry and suffer in poverty, corrupt officials shamelessly fatten their pockets with public funds.
We call on the people to rise up and demand accountability. Let us hold Sara Duterte accountable.
Let us expose the political maneuverings of the Marcos administration and its legislative lackeys for what it is — a desperate attempt to cling to power and shield his allies.
If the President and the Senate refuse to take action to hold the corrupt accountable, let us remind them: they were put in power by the people — and they can be removed by the people as well. – BAGONG ALYANSANG MAKABAYAN – PANAY, Iloilo City <bayanpanay2014@gmail.com>
