Iginiit ni Speaker at Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez na hindi “power play” ang dahilan sa likod ng pagsasampa ng impeachment complaint ng Kamara de Representantes laban kay Vice President Sara Duterte, na inilagay na ng Senado sa “archive” o isinangtabi. Pero deklara ng lider ng mga kongresista, hindi pa tapos ang laban.
Nitong Huwebes, sinabi ni Romualdez na ginawa lang ng mga kongresista ang kanilang tungkulin na papanagutin ang mga opisyal na nang-aabuso umano sa kapangyarihan. Kabilang sa inaakusa laban kay Duterte ay ang mali umano nitong paggamit ng pondo, partikular sa usapin ng confidential funds, na itinatanggi ng pangalawang pangulo.
Hindi rin umano minadali ng mga kongresista ang paghahanda sa kaso. Sa halip, ang Senado umano ang nagmadali na ilibing ito.
“Let’s be clear: The filing of the complaint was not rushed. What was rushed—remarkably—was its burial,” ani Romualdez.
Nitong Miyerkules, nagbotohan ang mga senador at mayorya ang sumang-ayon na i-archive ito. Kasunod ito ng pagdeklara ng Korte Suprema na labag sa Konstitusyon ang articles of impeachment.
Gayunman, tumutol ang apat na senador na mistulang ilagay sa baul ang reklamo laban sa pangalawang pangulo dahil mayroon pang mosyon ang Kamara na didinggin ng SC.
“Why the rush? [to archive]? The Constitution is clear: only the House has the exclusive power to initiate impeachment. That power is final within its sphere. We exercised that power lawfully, transparently, and in good faith—not out of spite but out of duty. Not to attack but to ask for answers—answers the Vice President never gave,” tanong ni Romualdez.
“To archive is, in effect, to bury the Articles of Impeachment. Yet, the ruling of the Supreme Court is not final. On August 5, the House filed a Motion for Reconsideration. The Court found our arguments serious enough to require the respondents, including the Vice President, to submit their comment. The case is active,” dagdag ng Speaker.
Ayon pa kay Romualdez, isang abogado, sinunod nila ang isinasaad sa Konstitusyon sa paghahanda ng articles of impeachment laban kay Duterte para panagutin ang opisyal. Giit niya, hindi ito dahil sa “power play.”
“More than one-third of House Members signed the verified complaint. Under the Constitution, that triggered the automatic transmittal of the Articles of Impeachment. No referral to the committee was needed. No further plenary action was required. The process was complete,” pahayag ni Romualdez.
Nitong Miyerkules, sinabi ni Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero na hindi dapat gamitin ng Kamara ang Senado bilang “playground to run after your political enemies.”
“To the House of Representatives I say, do not allow yourselves to be used for the blind hatred and ambition of a few who did things haphazardly, gravely abused their discretion, and violated due process, rights under the Constitution as found by the High Court itself,” ani Escudero.
"To these people, I say this: the Senate is not your playground to run after your political enemies. We are not an accomplice in any grand scheme,” dagdag niya.
Pero ayon kay Romualdez, hindi “political maneuvering" ang dahilan ng pagsasampa nila ng reklamo laban kay Duterte.
"It was about accountability anchored on verified facts and sworn documents. Yet we have been met with personal attacks, sweeping accusations, and a narrative that seeks to reduce a solemn constitutional duty into mere power play. That’s not just unfair—it is dangerous. It undermines public trust in the very tools of democratic checks and balances,” pahayag niya.
Sa kabila ng nangyari sa Senado, sabi ni Romualdez, “Tuloy ang laban: For the Constitution, for the rule of law, and for the enduring truth that no public office is ever beyond the reach of accountability.” — mula sa ulat ni Llanesca T. Panti/FRJ GMA Integrated News
