House Members Unite Against Senate’s Abuse of Power
Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña called on fellow lawmakers to unite against the Senate’s abuse of power in the impeachment process against Vice President Sara Duterte. The congressman criticized the Senate for ignoring the Constitution to delay and sabotage the impeachment, urging solidarity among House members to defend their constitutional duties.
On June 11, Cendaña condemned the Senate impeachment court’s decision to send the articles of impeachment back to the House, calling it a “gross overreach” of their authority. “I stand firm with my fellow members of the House of Representatives against this blatant disrespect by the Senate,” he declared.
“Nakakahiya ang kanilang pambabaluhura sa Konstitusyon para lang idelay at isabotahe ang impeachment process,” Cendaña added, expressing shame over the Senate’s blatant disregard for the Constitution just to stall the proceedings.
Senate Plays Games with Constitutional Duties
The progressive lawmaker expressed deep disappointment with the Senate’s approach. He recounted how the Senate shifted from demanding the process to be done “forthwith” to various procedural maneuvers like “convene” and then “return” the articles of impeachment. “Pinaglalaruan na lang ng Senado ang kanilang Constitutional duty na parang scrabble. Nagpapauso ng mga salita para lang makatakas sa kanilang tungkulin,” he noted.
Cendaña also criticized Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero for blaming the House for the delays. Escudero had accused House members of sitting on the impeachment complaints before rushing the Senate to act. However, Cendaña clarified that the House followed proper due process by carefully reviewing the impeachment articles.
“Kinukwestyon ng Senado ang naging trabaho namin sa pagbuo at pagpasa ng articles of impeachment pero ang totoo, sila ang tumatakas sa responsibilidad, sa mandato ng konstitusyon,” he explained. “Binasa namin ang articles of impeachment bago ito aprubahan. Ginawa namin ang due diligence namin bago ito isumite sa Senado. Hindi ito isyu ng pagkukulang ng Kamara kundi isyu ng kaduwagan ng Senado.”
Senate Exposes True Loyalties
Cendaña further accused the senators of deceiving the Filipino people and exposing their allegiances. He called on his colleagues to remain vigilant and defend the integrity of the impeachment process.
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