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Even before House prosecutors presented their first witness, the opening day of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial on Monday became a battle over competing interpretations of the Constitution and other laws, with rival political camps offering conflicting claims that quickly spread on social media.
The Senate impeachment court is set to formally begin the historic trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, July 6, marking the start of what is expected to be a lengthy and politically charged proceeding that could determine the future of the country's second-highest elected official.
For the second time in 15 months, the House of Representatives impeached Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, May 11, with more congressmen wanting to see her stand trial in the Senate.
What is happening to the Dutertes is also a reflection of the country’s justice system. If wrongdoing is proven, someone must be held accountable. If they are proven innocent, then the truth must also come to light. But we should not let these issues be the cause of our division.
She just can’t dismiss all issues raised against her as politically motivated. There are questionable reports and receipts that originated from her office that need to be explained. Monies appropriated to her office have to be accounted for. Those were not deposits to her personal ATM account that she could spend however she wanted to.
The Pre-Trial Chamber 1 of the International Criminal Court “unanimously confirmed” Thursday all charges of crimes against humanity against former president Rodrigo Duterte, a decision that commits the 81-year-old former leader to a full trial in The Hague.
If Co becomes merely a tool to purge political opponents while allies are shielded, the cycle of corruption will simply reset under a different name. The real test of the administration’s sincerity lies in whether the investigation follows the money wherever it leads, even to the doorstep of those currently in power.
The Philippine passport should be a source of pride, a shield of protection, not a badge of suspicion. Every Filipino deserves to see the world without being treated like a criminal just because of where they were born.
While progress is welcome, it must not come at the cost of privacy and dignity. It is time to stop treating digital policy as a series of convenient shortcuts and start treating it as a frontline human rights issue. The government must prove it can be trusted with the power it has taken.
Filipinos are resilient. We always find ways to cope. But we shouldn’t have to keep surviving problems that could have been prevented. We deserve leadership that plans ahead.
