Senator Imee Marcos (Senate PRIB)

The members of the Makabayan bloc took exception to Senator Imee Marcos' alleged threats to those planning to file an impeachment case against the latter's friend, Vice President Sara Duterte. 

This, as rumors became rife Monday, Sept. 9, that the militant bloc was going to file an impeachment complaint against the second highest-ranking official of the land. This was denied by Makabayan Monday afternoon. 

Still, this didn't stop ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel from getting irked by Senator Marcos' remarks. 

"Impeachment is a constitutional mechanism that serves as a recourse for the people against abuse by high government officials. It is an essential part of our democratic processes to ensure that leaders remain accountable to the people they serve," Castro said. 

"Threatening those who wish to exercise their right to hold officials accountable is a direct attack on democracy. It is imperative that we uphold the people's right to seek redress against abuses of power," added the House deputy minority leader. 

"Ang impeachment ay paghahamon sa highest elected officials na humarap sa taumbayan at ipaliwanag ang kanilang mga ginawa at maging accountable sa taumbayan. Hindi rin uubra ang kabastusang ginawa ng VP noong nakaraan dito. Hindi naman pwedeng gagawa ng kalokohan tapos palulusutin na lang. Dapat na mapanagot ang mga maysala," she added. 

Castro was referring to the Office of the Vice President's (OVP) budget hearing last Aug. 27, when Vice President Duterte--through sheer repetitiveness--refused to directly answer solons' questions on the usage of P125 million worth of confidential funds in a span of just 11 days in December 2022. 

The Vice President's bossy and aggressive tact during the hearing was also panned. 

Without naming anybody, Senator Marcos wrote on Facebook: “Sa mga nasa kongreso na gigil na gigil na magsampa ng Impeachment case laban kay VP INDAY SARA, Magsilbing paalala ito na ang gusto n’yong paglaruan ay ang Demokrasya." 

(For those in Congress who are raring to file an impeachment case against VP Inday Sara, be reminded that what you're going to toy with is democracy itself.) 

“Naghahamon ba kayo sa 32M? O naghahanap kayo ng gulo upang hatin ang bayan – na may napakaraming problema sa kasalukuyan?” she added, referring to the number of Vice President Duterte's votes during the May 2022 polls. 

(Do you want to take on the 32 million? Or are you just looking for chaos in order to divide the nation, which has so many problems right now? )

HAVE YOU READ THIS?

https://mb.com.ph/2024/8/28/manila-solon-calls-vp-sara-an-entitled-brat-after-budget-hearing-debacle

'May sapat na batayan' 

Brosas noted that the presidential sister was seemingly defending the Vice President. She went on lecture Senator Marcos on what true democracy is. 

"Ang tunay na demokrasya ay hindi pipigilan ang mga mamamayan na magtanong at alamin ang ginagawa ng pamahalaan, lalo na ang paggamit sa pondo ng bayan," she said. 

(True democracy won't prevent the people from asking and learning about the government's dealings, especially when it comes to the use of public funds.) 

"May sapat na batayan para isulong ang impeachment laban kay Vice President Sara Duterte na nailahad na noong nakaraang budget deliberation," insisted the House assistant minority leader. 

(There is enough basis to pursue an impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte, which has been spelled out during the past budget hearing.) 

Manuel, for his part, took the opportunity to take a shot at Vice President Duterte. "Bahagi ng demokrasya ang pagpapanagot sa sinumang lider ng bansa na ginagamit ang posisyon at ang pera ng bayan para sa pansariling interes." 

(It's part of democracy to hold accountable any leader of the country who uses their position and public funds for personal interest.) 

"Hindi bahagi ng demokrasya ang pagtanggol sa mga pinuno na umaastang diktador, berdugo o brat," said the youth solon. 

(It's not part of democracy to defend leaders who act like a dictator, an executioner, or a brat.)