MANILA, Philippines – Magsisilbing ‘stress test’ ng demokrasya ng Pilipinas ang impeachment process laban kay Vice President Sara Duterte.
Ang pahayag na ito ni Atty. Dino de Leon ay matapos makitaan ng probable cause ng House Committee on Justice para ma-impeach si Duterte, at sinabing ang isyu ngayon ay labas na sa ‘single official’ o ‘proceeding’ bagkus ay “cuts to the core of institutional integrity and democratic accountability.”
“The impeachment of Sara Duterte is a stress test for Philippine democracy,” sinabi ni de Leon.
“And let us be candid: last year, we failed that test miserably. When institutions were placed under pressure, we fell short. With due respect, the very people that were tasked by the Constitution to uphold accountability and the rule of law did not respond with enough courage and independence. Although there have been some improvements after the 2025 elections, it is not enough to ensure a stronger democracy for all of us,” ayon pa sa abogado.
Ani De Leon, ang “re-take” ng impeachment ngayong taon ay nagpapakita ng oportunidad upang makita “whether our institutions can hold firm under pressure [and] whether accountability truly applies to everyone.”
Tinukoy din ng abogado ang naging tensyon sa constitutional meaning ng “forthwith.”
“Bagsak po tayo last year. Sa meaning lang ng forthwith, we miserably failed (We failed last year. In the simple meaning of forthwith, we miserably failed). I hope this time around we will pass it with flying colors,” sinabi ni de Leon.
Noong Pebrero 2025, inimpeach ng mababang kapulungan si Duterte sa 215 boto, lampas sa kailangang 1/3 threshold o 102 boto dahilan para ipadala ang Articles of Impeachment laban kay Duterte sa Senado.
Sa kabila nito ay bumoto ang Senado para i-archive ang impeachment caase kasunod ng desisyon ng Korte Suprema na ideklara ang articles of impeachment bilang unconstitutional sa paglabag sa one-year bar rule at due process rights. RNT/JGC
