Makabayan Senate bets to push for conviction of VP Sara

The senatorial bets of Makabayan coalition said Tuesday they will push for the conviction of Vice President Sara Duterte as they kicked off their campaign for the May 12 midterm polls.

Nine of the coalition’s 11-person slate began their campaign with a send-off ceremony at Kartilya ng Katipunan in Manila City while the two others were in Cagayan de Oro City.

ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro said their slate will vote for the conviction of Duterte if they are elected to the Senate in the 20th Congress.

“Yung sinisimbolo ni Sara Duterte ay korapsyon. Kaya mahalaga na nandoon ang Makabayan para pagdating, kung sakali ito ay didinggin ng susunod na Kongreso ay naroroon na ang Makabayan para labanan ang korapsyon,” she told reporters.

(Sara Duterte symbolizes corruption. So it’s important that Makabayan will be present at the next Congress if ever the impeachment trial will push through as we seek to fight corruption.)

Castro was one of the House members who endorsed the second impeachment complaint filed by over 70 individuals from various sectors last December.

The other complainants are members of Bayan Muna, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers, Kabataan Party-list, Gabriela Women’s Party, Rise Up for Life and Rights, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Karapatan, Piston, other progressive groups, and student leaders.

Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas chairperson Danilo Ramos also shared the same sentiments.

“Para sa akin, napaka-importante 'yung form and substance, at tingin namin sa P612.5 million (confidential funds), may basehan, kaya titindig kami sa interes ng taumbayan at pagtutol sa korapsyon at dapat managot ang kumuha, nagwaldas ng pera mula sa taumbayan,” he told reporters.

(For me, form and substance are important, we believe that the allegations against Duterte on the use of P612.5 million confidential funds has basis. So it’s just right for us to stand up for the interest of the people and fight against corruption so that the one who stole the people’s money will be held accountable.)

Meanwhile, Filipino Nurses United secretary general Alyn Andamo and Gabriela Women’s Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas both believe that the Senate could act immediately on the impeachment case against the Vice President.

“Kami ay naninindigan at nanawagan na gawin na ng Senado ang tamang proseso, ngayon na,” said Andamo.

(We stand and call on the Senate to do the right process now.)

“With all due respect sa Senate President, kung gusto, may paraan. Ibig sabihin, kung gusto na magkaroon ng trial ngayon, mangyayari 'yun even ngayong election,” said Brosas. “Yung kinakailangan na hustisya ng mamamayan, hindi pwedeng next time na lang, hindi pwedeng ganun.”

(With all due respect to our Senate President, if they really want it, they would find a way to do it. If they really want a trial to happen now, it could happen even during the election. The justice sought by the people should not be put on hold.)

The Senate adjourned its sessions last February 5 without tackling the impeachment complaint endorsed by over 200 members of the House of Representatives and transmitted to the Senate on the same day.

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero earlier said the upper chamber will not rush Duterte's impeachment trial.

On the other hand, former Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Teddy Casiño said their coalition will vote depending on the outcome of the impeachment trial.

“While we have that initial position that she should be convicted, kapag dumaan naman sa trial at napakitang wala talagang wrongdoing, of course, we will vote accordingly. At this point, knowing what we know, ang magiging position namin is ma-convict siya,” he told GMA News Online.

(While we have that initial position that she should be convicted, if the trial proves that there’s no wrongdoing on her part, of course, we will vote accordingly. At this point, knowing what we know, our position is that she must be convicted.)

GMA News Online sought comment from the camp of Duterte and will publish it once available.

Last week, Duterte said she was not contemplating on resigning from her position yet after the House of Representatives impeached her.

"Wala pa tayo doon. Masyado pang malayo 'yung mga ganyan na mga bagay [We have not gone that far. Those things are farfetched]," Duterte said at a press conference on February 7.

'Checks and balances'

Meanwhile, Bayan Muna Party-list first nominee Neri Colmenares also joined Makabayan’s senatorial bets on the first day of campaign.

“Medyo kailangan ng dagdag checks and balances sa House of Representatives. Hindi naman puwedeng ‘yes’ man, ‘yes’ woman ang mga tao diyan,” said Colmenares.

(There’s a need for additional checks and balances in the House of Representatives. It should not always be having ‘yes’ man and ‘yes’ woman in the chamber.) 

House visits

Following their send-off, the Manila-based candidates of Makabayan went to various cities to visit houses to campaign.

In Quezon City and Manila City, Brosas, Casiño, and Castro visited homes, markets, and malls to interact with the residents.

Ramos went to Bulacan to meet with the farmers in Malolos.

Liza Maza and Amirah Lidasan held a caravan in Cagayan de Oro.

In a joint statement, the coalition said it vows to differ from “traditional politics” and “political dynasties” who spend billions for media advertisements.

“Ang Makabayan ay susuong sa iba’t ibang sulok ng bansa upang tuwirang maabot at makausap ang ating mga kababayan. Kami ay magbabahay-bahay, iikot sa mga palengke, terminal, at paaralan, tatawid ng mga ilog,” the statement read.

(The Makabayan will go to various parts of the country to reach out to the people. We will visit every home, go to markets, terminals, and schools, and cross rivers.) —AOL/RSJ/VBL, GMA Integrated News

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