Even opposition lawmakers do not support the supposed impeachment complaint being planned by the Duterte Youth Party-list against President Marcos, saying it is only a "desperate diversionary tactic" to shield the Duterte family from the different charges it is facing.
Cardema's impeachment bid vs Marcos doesn't get support even from Makabayan
At A Glance
- Opposition lawmakers from Gabriela Women's Party, Kabataan, and ACT Teachers' party-lists view the Duterte Youth Party-list's planned impeachment of President Marcos as a tactic to distract from charges lodged against the Duterte family.
Gabriela Women's Party Rep. Arlene Brosas, Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel and ACT Teachers' Party-list Rep. France Castro on Friday, May 9, questioned former Duterte Youth Party-list Rep. Ronald Cardema's move of seeking the President's ouster through an impeachment.
First of all, they said Congress is currently not in session. Therefore, Cardema's bid to seek congressional support is only a "theatrical attempt".
Second, they said impeachment attempt is also "clearly calculated to divert public attention from the more substantive impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, which is backed by substantial evidence of corruption and abuse of power".
Cardema's supposed basis for seeking Marcos' impeachment centered on the "illegal arrest" of former president Rodrigo Duterte. Duterte is detained at The Hague and is facing a charge of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
On the other hand, Duterte's eldest daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, is facing a Senate impeachment trial.
"The Duterte Youth is merely riding on anti-Marcos sentiments to push their pro-Duterte agenda," Brosas said.
"This is a desperate attempt to reframe the narrative about the ICC case, shifting focus from the grave human rights violations committed during Duterte's administration to procedural questions about the arrest," she added.
Meanwhile, Manuel urged the Filipino youth not to "be fooled by this charade".
But he maintained that both the Marcos and Duterte families "must be held accountable for their respective crimes against the Filipino people".
"Huwag magpalinlang sa publicity stunt na ito. Halata naman na ito ay isang political maneuver in aid of election, at hindi tunay na pagtatanggol sa interes ng mamamayan (Don't be swayed by this publicity stunt. It is obvious that it is only a political maneuver in aid of legislation and not to protect the interest of the people)," Manuel said.
Castro is confident that Cardema's attempt won't succeed.