If Senator Imee Marcos becomes Senate President then Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial is effectively dead.
Thus, said former Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Ferdinand Gaite as he slammed on Sunday, May 25 Senator Marcos' announcement of her bid for the Senate presidency.
"Goodbye impeachment na kapag ganito ang nangyari. Paano pa mapapanagot si Sara Dutette sa paglustay nya sa confidential funds (Say goodbye to the impeachment if this happens. How then could Sara Duterte be held accountable for her misuse of confidential funds)," Gaite said.
He called the lady senator's announcement a calculated move by the Duterte camp to kill the impeachment case, the next phase of which is the Senate impeachment trial.
Senator Marcos and Vice President Duterte are friends.
"Tactically, this is a power play not just for control but also for protection. If Senator Marcos or a Duterte ally becomes Senate President, we can say goodbye to the possibility of Vice President Duterte facing impeachment or any form of accountability for her actions," Gaite explained.
He added that the potential Imee Marcos-Duterte alliance in the Senate would be disastrous for the country’s democratic institutions.
"This alliance is not about governance or accountability—it’s about mutual protection and advancing each other’s political interests. The Senate must be independent, not a rubber stamp for political dynasties," Gaite concluded.