“The Senate must not falter,” human rights lawyer and Akbayan nominee Chel Diokno said as he, along with several progressive groups, welcomed the House of Representatives’ move to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte.
Out of 306 House members, 215 voted in favor of impeachment, with the articles of impeachment now transmitted to the Senate for review before the trial.
“The House’s impeachment of Sara Duterte is a testament to the power of active citizenship. The recent waves of anti-Sara protests found their epicenter at EDSA—the very ground where Filipinos once dismantled a dictatorship and where they now stand resolute against the Dutertes,” Diokno said.
“The Senate must not falter. This is a moment of truth—will they stand with the people or enable the rot of unaccountability? The country deserves a Senate that will not cower in the face of power,” he added.
BAYAN President Renato Reyes stated the next logical step is for the Senate to “fulfill its constitutional mandate and render a verdict “based on the evidence presented, not on political expediency,” urging the body to start the trial.
Makabayan President Liza Maza emphasized that there is no reason for the impeachment trial to be “delayed” and called on the Senate to begin the process immediately.
Former Senator Leila De Lima echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that this is just the beginning of the fight. She urged Congress to set aside politics and personal interests, stressing that VP Duterte’s impeachment is a battle against abuse, corruption, and impunity.
Labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) vowed to keep watch over the Senate’s actions, warning that Filipinos will not be silenced until accountability is upheld.
“But the fight is not over. The Filipino people are closely watching Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial. We will not stay silent until all thieves, corrupt officials, and abusive figures in power are held accountable,” KMU said in Tagalog.
“The nation is now focused on the Senate. KMU urges everyone to continue monitoring and fighting for Sara Duterte’s conviction. Let us demand accountability for thieves, corrupt officials, and abusive figures in government,” it added.
Earlier, a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey revealed that 41% of Filipinos support Duterte’s impeachment, particularly due to her refusal to explain the spending of confidential and intelligence funds by the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education.
Her trust ratings have also seen a steady decline, dropping from 52% in December to 49% in January.