“It is ridiculous at this time for anybody to come out with statements like ‘The impeachment should be de facto dismissed’”
WITH the reading of the Articles of Impeachment set for June 11, the Senate must now proceed with the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte to decide whether to impeach her or not.
At this point, it is ridiculous for anybody to come out with statements like “The impeachment should be de facto dismissed,” as proposed by Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
How can you de facto dismiss a case which has not been tried? Santa Banana!
As I often said in the past, the trial of the impeachment case against the Vice President now depends on two factors, one is legal and the other political.
At this point, any proposal from senators in connection with the impeachment case is premature, my gulay.
After the reading of the Articles of Impeachment by the Senate, the trial must now begin. As far as I know, according to the rules of the Senate, the prosecution must present its case against Sara Duterte.
Foremost in this case of Duterte’s impeachment is whether or not she must be made accountable for what she did with her Confidential and Intelligence Funds as Vice President and former Education Secretary.
That is why I am just wondering how she can effectively explain why the recipients of the Confidential Funds of the Vice President are, according to the records of the Philippine Statistics Authority, unknown and fictitious.
If she cannot explain, that will be an indictment against her as the second highest official of the land.
She should set an example of accountability, Santa Banana!
This point of accountability is imperative.
If she cannot explain before the Senate judges why most of the recipients of her Confidential Funds are unknown and fictitious per records of the PSA, that would be an indictment against her which means she must be made accountable, pointing to graft and corruption.
And if she is proven to have committed graft and corruption by the Senate trial that would be a betrayal of public trust and a culpable violation of the Constitution.
I often say, however, the legal aspect of the trial of the Senate is only one factor.
The other factor is political, where the Senate judges have to decide whether or not Duterte is guilty.
Whether or not she will be impeached, I cannot speculate on the outcome of the Senate trial. All I know, having listened to the impeachment trial of former President Erap and Chief Justice Renato Corona, is the case is both legal and political.
What is important is that after the Senate trial on the impeachment of Duterte, the country must move on because of formidable problems facing us, both economic and foreign affairs.
With China trying to upend the balance of power in Asia by “ credibly preparing its military,” this to me is the biggest threat that President Marcos Jr. must face.
It could mean more threats in connection with disputed territories between China and the Philippines in the WPS.
I cannot predict what will happen either to Taiwan, because China believes Taiwan is a province of China and, God forbid, if Taiwan is invaded by China, the Philippines cannot help but be involved.
And with the involvement of the Philippines, the USA will necessarily come into the picture.
These are the formidable problems the country must face, notwithstanding the impeachment trial of Duterte.
I pray to God that China will not involve the Philippines in any matter because after having gone through World War II myself, I hate to imagine what will happen to the Philippines.