Incoming Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima used a clever play of words to express her disdain over how the Senate has handled the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.
This, despite the fact that the Senate has technically begun to act on the impeachment complaint when Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero took his oath on Monday, June 9 as presiding officer of the constitutionally-mandated trial.
"Kailangan pa rin nakabantay (We still need to keep our eyes peeled). Vigilance is still a must, lalo na sa mistulang style tingi-tingi ng Senado sa impeachment trial (especially with the Senate’s apparent installment-style impeachment trial)," De Lima wrote on Facebook Tuesday, June 10.
The congressman-elect was obviously referring to developments in the Senate, a chamber that she was part of nearly a decade ago.
And then came De Lima's zinger for the senators, who were supposed to hold Duterte's impeachment trial at the soonest time possible.
"Baka sa dulo ng suspense na ito ay isang impakto dismissal (Maybe at the very end of this suspense is an impakto dismissal)," she further wrote.
"Impakto"--which appeared to be a conscious choice by De Lima--is a Filipino word that roughly translate to evil spirit.
"Impakto dismissal" also sounds very much like "de facto dismissal", which some senators are allegedly seeking in a bid to get the Vice President off the hook.
Through a resolution, they reportedly intend to have the impeachment complaint junked via mere plenary vote, and completely do away with the trial--thus, de facto.
It was back on Feb. 5 when the House of Representatives transmitted the verified and duly-endorsed impeachment complaint against Vice President Duterte to the Senate.
De Lima is part of the 11-member House prosecution team in rhe impeachment case. She is also a former Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary.