MANILA, Philippines 鈥� 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 鈥渙pportunistic.鈥�
鈥淣agfi-file sila ng impeachment (They鈥檙e filing for impeachment), left and right. Why are they doing that? Again, very clearly, it is political opportunism and political mileage,鈥� Malaya said on Friday.
READ: Malaya says Makabayan move to impeach VP Duterte 鈥榦pportunistic鈥�
Bayan chairperson Teddy Casi帽o fired back at Malaya on Saturday, saying, 鈥淪ince when did holding the Dutertes accountable for their wrongdoings become politically opportunistic or advantageous?鈥�
The former Bayan Muna party-list representative argued that the move to impeach Duterte made them vulnerable to 鈥渕alicious intrigue, social media bashing, political persecution and even extrajudicial killing by their family, trolls and rabid supporters.鈥�
鈥淚mpeaching 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,鈥� Casi帽o added in his statement.
Over 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鈥� alleged misuse of confidential funds.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. previously warned against moves to impeach his vice president, saying the process would 鈥渢ie Congress down鈥� and 鈥渨aste time.鈥�
Malaya agreed with the President and said that impeachment proceedings were 鈥渁 distraction from the more urgent issues facing the country.鈥�
鈥淧ublic 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,鈥� Casi帽o said.
鈥淜ung mamasamain ang impeachment, bakit pa tayo naglagay ng mga mekanismo at batas na nagpapanagot sa katiwalian sa gobyerno?鈥� he added.
(If impeachment is viewed negatively, why else did we put in place a mechanism and law to hold聽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 Cenda帽a.
READ: Constitution mandates action on impeach raps vs VP Duterte 鈥� solons
Ranking House members also said in a statement Saturday that the Constitution mandates them to act on the impeachment petitions.