MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri on Wednesday admitted not being keen on the idea of having impeachment proceedings in the Senate amid the nearing elections, adding that it would only sow 鈥渄ivisiveness.鈥�
Zubiri made the pronouncement after a second impeachment complaint was filed against Vice President Sara Duterte earlier the same day.
READ: VP Sara Duterte faces 2nd impeachment rap
鈥淟ike many of my colleagues, we do not want to see impeachment proceedings in the Senate because obviously it鈥檚 going to be very divisive,鈥� Zubiri told reporters in a chance interview.
鈥淚 know I鈥檓 not supposed to talk about the impeachment but in my heart is this what we want so close to the elections?鈥� he added.
The senator, however, assured the public that the Senate would perform its constitutional mandate should an impeachment complaint against Duterte reach its floor.
鈥淏ut of course, personally, if you ask me for my personal opinion, sana walang gulo. Kasi ayaw po natin ng gulo at this point in time (But of course, personally, if you ask me for my personal opinion, I hope there will be no trouble. Because we don鈥檛 want trouble at this point in time.),鈥� he said.
鈥淕usto nga po sana namin ceasefire muna (what we were hoping for was a ceasefire),鈥� he added.
He then cited recent events in South Korea, where a sudden declaration of martial law sent both the public and its government officials into a frenzy.
Staying neutral
Zubiri, however, clarified that his stance on whether the impeachment proceedings should make way is not determinative of whose side he鈥檚 on, asserting that the Senate will be 鈥渧ery impartial.鈥�
鈥淚 would like to be very clear, at this point in time we cannot take political sides, because if there is a valid and verified impeachment complaint that will go to the Senate鈥攚e, as Jurors, have to be very impartial,鈥� said Zubiri.
鈥淪o I鈥檓 not taking any sides here, ayaw ko lang sana magkagulo (I would rather avoid dissensions),鈥� he added.
He, however, reiterated the bad timing of the impeachment complaint as the Congress is already set to be on break by the second of February before proceeding to the election season.
鈥淪o I鈥檓 not sure about the timing, but I don鈥檛 want to say that I鈥檓 for or against anyone. We want to remain neutral, impartial,鈥� he said.