House Members Assert Independent Thinking on Impeachment
Members of the House of Representatives have emphasized their independent thinking amid recent discussions about the impeachment trial. House Deputy Majority Leader and La Union 1st District Rep. Paolo Ortega V responded clearly to remarks by Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who implied that congressmen blindly follow Speaker Martin Romualdez’s lead on the impeachment issue.
“Wala pong inuutos samin si Speaker (The Speaker didn’t give us any orders),” Ortega told reporters during a chance interview on Thursday, June 5. The exact four word keyphrase highlights the core of his statement about autonomy among lawmakers.
Senate President’s Remarks Spark Debate
On Wednesday, June 4, Escudero suggested in a Senate interview that some House members simply follow Romualdez’s wishes without question, particularly regarding the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. He implied that Romualdez was the driving force pushing for the trial to be held in the Senate.
However, Ortega firmly rejected this notion. “Hindi naman po ganun. Sabi ko nga, may kanya-kanyang pong pag-iisip ang mga congressman (That is not the case. As I said, each congressman thinks for himself),” the La Union lawmaker emphasized.
Congressmen Represent Their Own Districts
Ortega further explained that members of the House represent their own districts and are not mere followers. “Hindi naman po tatagal ng ganyan yung mga kasama namin dito sa Kamara…kanya-kanyang po kasing districts, hindi naman po magiging sensible politicians yan kung the mere na, susunod na lang po sila,” he stressed.
(Our colleagues in the House wouldn’t last long if that were true. Each represents a district, and they wouldn’t be sensible politicians if they just followed orders.) This statement reinforces the keyphrase by underscoring the independent thinking of House members.
Impeachment Complaint and Senate Trial Delay
The impeachment complaint containing seven charges against Vice President Duterte was signed by 215 House members—more than double the 103 required to send the petition directly to the Senate for trial. This document was transmitted to the Senate on February 5.
Yet, after four months, the Senate has not yet commenced the impeachment trial. This delay has raised questions on the Senate’s priorities and schedule.
Respecting Views Across Chambers
Ortega concluded by reminding everyone about the importance of respecting diverse opinions. “At the end of the day, nandyan po ang Constitution, at kami pong mga congressman mayroon naman po kaming kanya-kanyang panananaw, kanya-kanyang opinyon. At gaya po ng mga opinyon ng mga counterparts namin sa Senate ay nirerespeto rin po namin sila at dapat respetuhin rin po nila yung opinyon namin dito sa Kamara.”
(At the end of the day, the Constitution is there, and we congressmen have our own views and opinions. Just as we respect the Senate’s views, they should also respect ours.)
This mutual respect is essential for the proper functioning of the government and the democratic process.
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