Chua: Impeach hearing vs VP Sara an accountability test amid 2028 prexy bid

The impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte is not a distraction amid the surging oil prices but a test of accountability, House good government and public accountability panel chairman and Manila 3rd District Rep, Joel Chua said Thursday

“Impeachment is no distraction, but a crucial preparation for the 2028 polls. Hindi puwedeng ipagpaliban ang pananagutan dahil lang may krisis. Crisis reveals leadership—kaya mahalaga ang accountability ngayon. The issue here is accountability… and the fitness to serve,” Chua said in a statement.

(We cannot postpone accountability just because there is a crisis. Accountability matters now.)

In February, Duterte announced that she will run for president in the 2028 national elections. 

“The [impeachment] process ensures that candidates face the electorate with credibility and accountability, reinforcing the public’s ability to make informed choices. This crisis is a creation of one man… the President of the United States, showing leadership choices can trigger far-reaching economic disruptions,” Chua added.

He was referring to the joint US-Israel Operation Epic Fury that launched relentless airstrikes against Iran to supposedly deter its missile program.

Since then, Iran has retaliated with similar airstrikes to US allies in the oil-rich Middle East countries, causing surge in oil prices worldwide.

The two impeachment complaints filed against the Vice President accuses her of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, among others, mainly over the following acts: 

• alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential fund and using them as bribes 
• threatening to kill President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and his family, including her desire to remove the head of the Chief Executive and 
• alleged accumulation of unexplained wealth

The House committee on justice, of which Chua is a member, already found the two complaints sufficient in form, substance, and in grounds.

The panel is currently deliberating on whether there is probable cause to impeach the Vice President.

Chua also said that the impeachment proceeding can even work well for the Vice President if it turns out that she is found blameless.

“It would be better for her to run for President without baggage and any issue thrown at her,” Chua added.

GMA News Online reached out to the camp of Duterte for comment and will publish it once available.

The Vice President has asked the Supreme Court to stop the impeachment proceedings against her last March 31, saying that it is illegal and in violation of her rights.

The High Court, however, is yet to the issue any temporary restraining order on the impeachment proceedings against the Vice President. It directed the House of Representatives and the House justice committee to comment on the petitions

Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III earlier said that without the Supreme Court issuing a TRO, the impeachment proceedings against the Vice President stands valid and will proceed as scheduled.

The next hearing on the impeachment complaints lodged against the Vice President is set on April 14.—AOL, GMA News