Senators Must Deliver Fair Day in Court
Akbayan Party-list Representative Perci Cendaña reminded senators of their constitutional duty to conduct a thorough impeachment trial for Vice President Sara Duterte. He emphasized that their role is to litigate the case, not to hastily clear it. Cendaña made these remarks in response to the Senate’s plan to complete the impeachment trial within a tight window from June 11 to June 30.
The proposed schedule comes as the 19th Congress is set to adjourn sine die on June 11. “Malinaw naman yung panawagan natin dati pa, kailangan ng impeachment case natin ng fair day in court. And hindi siya magkakaroon ng fair day in court kung mamadaliin naman siya ngayon,” he said. (Our call has always been clear: our impeachment case deserves a fair day in court. And it won’t have a fair day in court if it is rushed now.)
Constitution Over Personal Ambition
Cendaña urged senators to remember their mandate is to try the case fully, not to expedite it for convenience. He warned that rushing the process would leave insufficient time to present all evidence adequately. “Dapat maalala nila na ang mandato ng Senado ay litisin, hindi palusutin. Alam natin kapag minadali, kulang yung oras sa dami ng mga ebidensya na ipiprisinta. So again sana ma-realize nila na it’s always the Constitution over personal ambition. Yun ang mahalaga,” he added. (They must remember that the Senate’s mandate is to try the case, not to let it slip through. We know that when things are rushed, there isn’t enough time to present all the evidence properly. So again, I hope they realize that the Constitution must always come before personal ambition. That is what truly matters.)
Senators’ Reluctance Draws Criticism
Cendaña’s comments came amid reports of some senators’ reluctance or refusal to hold Vice President Duterte’s constitutionally required impeachment trial. To emphasize his point, he referenced Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo, using a metaphor to criticize attempts to evade accountability. “Hindi ito parang si Carlos Yulo na sa kaka-gymnastics nila, mental gymnastics, kakatumbling at kaka-split, ay mapapalusot nila yung kanilang poon,” he said. (This is not like Carlos Yulo, where through their constant gymnastics, mental gymnastics, tumbling and splitting, they can maneuver their way to letting their lord off the hook.)
Cendaña’s firm stance calls on senators to prioritize justice and the Constitution over any personal or political interests. The call for a fair day in court highlights the importance of following due process without rushing, ensuring that the impeachment trial is conducted with integrity and transparency.
For more news and updates on Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, visit Filipinokami.com.