By: Ferdie Brizo | FB EYE || Impeachment is a constitutional mechanism designed to hold high-ranking officials accountable through legal means. Those subject to impeachment includes the President, Vice President, members of constitutional commissions, Supreme Court justices, and the Ombudsman.
Recently, the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly—240 votes in favor—to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte, exceedingly double the required constitutional threshold of 1/3 or 105 votes.
Based on the Constitutional, among the seven grounds for impeachment are: bribery, treason, culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, rebellion, other high crimes, and graft and corruption. While this process is inherently divisive, it remains the legal and democratic method for addressing allegations of misconduct, standing in contrast to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s public denunciations of officials on national television without due process. His administration’s tactics, including public shaming and summary dismissals, sidelined legal procedures, leaving many victims—such as those accused under Oplan Tokhang and political opponents like former Vice President Leni Robredo—without recourse.
Now, in a twist of fate, Vice President Duterte faces the same accountability mechanism that her father’s administration weaponized against its critics. However, unlike extrajudicial actions, impeachment ensures due process. The trial will now move to the Senate, where senators will sit as judges, tasked with weighing the evidence presented.
Under the doctrine of sui generis, impeachment is a distinct constitutional function separate from ordinary legislation. The Senate, as established during the 2012 impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona, has the authority to convene as an impeachment court even while in recess. This ensures that impeachment trials proceed without unnecessary delay, upholding the principle that accountability in governance cannot be stalled by legislative schedules.
For Vice President Duterte, this impeachment trial offers an opportunity to formally respond to the allegations against her. The proceedings will not only determine her political fate but will also serve as a test of the Senate’s integrity—will it decide based on legal merits or political alliances? With the 2025 elections on the horizon, this trial will showcase the credibility of both the prosecution and the senators sitting in judgment.
Ultimately, the true beneficiaries of this process are the Filipino people. They deserve transparency, accountability, and a government that prioritizes public interest over personal ambition. As the trial unfolds, the public must remain vigilant, critically assessing the evidence and ensuring that justice is not compromised by political maneuvering. The outcome will either reaffirm the strength of Philippine democracy or expose its vulnerabilities to partisan interests.
