Makabayan: Since when is holding Duterte accountable opportunistic?
MANILA, Philippines — The Makabayan bloc hit back at National Security Council (NSC) Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya, who said their move to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte was “opportunistic.”
“Nagfi-file sila ng impeachment (They’re filing for impeachment), left and right. Why are they doing that? Again, very clearly, it is political opportunism and political mileage,” Malaya said on Friday.
READ: Malaya says Makabayan move to impeach VP Duterte ‘opportunistic’
Bayan chairperson Teddy Casiño fired back at Malaya on Saturday, saying, “Since when did holding the Dutertes accountable for their wrongdoings become politically opportunistic or advantageous?”
The former Bayan Muna party-list representative argued that the move to impeach Duterte made them vulnerable to “malicious intrigue, social media bashing, political persecution and even extrajudicial killing by their family, trolls and rabid supporters.”
“Impeaching a powerful and vengeful vice president like Sara Duterte is a great burden that gains us nothing and even puts our life and reputation on the line,” Casiño added in his statement.
Article continues after this advertisementOver 70 representatives of progressive groups led by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) on Wednesday, Dec. 4, lodged the second impeachment complaint against Duterte for her offices’ alleged misuse of confidential funds.
Article continues after this advertisementPresident Ferdinand Marcos Jr. previously warned against moves to impeach his vice president, saying the process would “tie Congress down” and “waste time.”
Malaya agreed with the President and said that impeachment proceedings were “a distraction from the more urgent issues facing the country.”
“Public officials like Malaya should be reminded that they are accountable to the people at all times. This is why the Constitution provides for impeachment as a means of accountability for the highest and most powerful officials of the land,” Casiño said.
“Kung mamasamain ang impeachment, bakit pa tayo naglagay ng mga mekanismo at batas na nagpapanagot sa katiwalian sa gobyerno?” he added.
(If impeachment is viewed negatively, why else did we put in place a mechanism and law to hold officials accountable for corruption?)
The first impeachment complaint was lodged on Monday, Dec. 2, by civil society organizations led by Akbayan party-list Rep. Percival Cendaña.
READ: Constitution mandates action on impeach raps vs VP Duterte – solons
Ranking House members also said in a statement Saturday that the Constitution mandates them to act on the impeachment petitions.
