VP Sara Duterte composite image from Inquirer, AP file photos
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� 鈥淚f there鈥檚 a will, there鈥檚 a way.鈥漈his was the statement of Makabayan senatorial candidate Teddy Casi帽o on Sunday as he criticized the Senate for delaying the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
He urged lawmakers to fulfill their constitutional duty and uphold the integrity of the institution.
Casi帽o questioned the Senate鈥檚 reasons for stalling the proceedings, citing excuses such as the legislative break, the supposed lack of public clamor, and confusion over the term 鈥渇orthwith.鈥�
鈥淚t is a shame that the Senate is delaying the impeachment trial on such flimsy excuses,鈥� Casi帽o said in a statement.
鈥淢aybe they should just admit that they are too busy vacationing to be bothered by their official duties,鈥� he said.
The Makabayan senatorial bet also argued that the delay undermines the government鈥檚 system of checks and balances and diminishes the credibility of the Senate.
鈥淜ung talagang gusto, maraming paraan. Pag ayaw, maraming dahilan,鈥� Casi帽o said.
(If there鈥檚 a will, there鈥檚 a way. If there鈥檚 none, there are plenty of excuses.)
Casi帽o stressed that while Duterte benefits from the stalled trial, ordinary public servants with lesser offenses often face swift disciplinary actions.
鈥淭he Senate鈥檚 inaction translates to injustice and impunity,鈥� he said.
鈥淭he Senate owes it to the people to begin the impeachment trial at once,鈥� he emphasized.
鈥淢ost likely when the new Congress already enters into its functions after Sona. Sona, I think, is on July 21. So [the] trial will commence after that day,鈥� Escudero said.
He added that the Senate is 鈥渟lowly but surely building up鈥� its preparations for the trial.
Escudero also noted that the chamber has started reviewing materials from previous impeachment proceedings to assess whether they could still be reused or need replacement.