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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Sara's downplaying of impeachment raps is her way of hiding fear — solons

Sara's downplaying of impeachment raps is her way of hiding fear — solons

Published Feb 7, 2025 07:51 am

At A Glance

  • ​Four congressmen are convinced that Vice President Sara Duterte's nonchalant attitude toward the impeachment complaint filed against her is just her way of hiding her fear over her potential fate.

​Four congressmen are convinced that Vice President Sara Duterte's nonchalant attitude toward the impeachment complaint filed against her is just her way of hiding her fear over her potential fate.

In a joint statement, Taguig City 2nd district Rep. Pammy Zamora, Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Jil Bongalon, La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega and Zambales 1st district Rep. Jay Khonghun said Duterte's "dismissive remarks only reinforced the perception that she is deeply anxious about the trial ahead".

"Vice President Sara Duterte's press conference on Friday, Feb. 7, was meant to downplay the seriousness of the impeachment complaint against her," they said.

This came after the Vice President wished in a press briefing Friday, Feb. 7, that 'God save the Philippines' after she was impeached by the House of Representatives.

For the four lawmakers, Duterte's statement lacked "substance and punctuated by vague, defensive quips, failed to address the grave allegations against her".

"She did not offer a direct rebuttal to the charges but instead framed the impeachment as a premeditated effort dating back to late 2023. Rather than discussing the case’s legal merits, she simply deferred the matter to her lawyers and implied that proceedings had not yet advanced beyond the initial stages," they said.

They also said that the Vice President "sought to undermine the legitimacy of the impeachment complaint by casting doubt on the lawmakers who signed it".

"Instead of addressing the accusations, she insinuated that the need for these lawmakers to justify their signatures was itself an admission of wrongdoing," they said.

For them, Duterte's response only exposed her unease over the scale of the impeachment process and the growing scrutiny of her actions.

"Her attempt at nonchalance cannot mask the reality of the situation," they said.

"Her statements reflected an underlying fear, poorly disguised as indifference. The overwhelming majority of the House of Representatives has already found probable cause for impeachment, and now the Senate must fulfill its constitutional role in determining her political fate," they added.

They also warned that Duterte can no longer escape the reality "that this impeachment trial will determine her political survival".

"The looming proceedings hang over her like the sword of Damocles—a constant reminder that her hold on power is precarious. No amount of carefully staged public statements can change the fact that she must answer to the evidence that will be presented," they said.

Related Tags

Impeachment Jay Khonghun Sara Duterte paolo Ortega Pammy Zamora Jil Bongalon
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