A HOUSE leader has said that recent remarks by Vice President Sara Z. Duterte reveal “fear rather than truth” as the impeachment process against her moves forward in the House of Representatives.
Manila Rep. Joel R. Chua, chair of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, said the filing of impeachment complaints marks only the beginning of the constitutional process and not its conclusion.
“The impeachment complaints filed before the House of Representatives are not the endpoints of the constitutional process. They are merely the beginning of a procedure that allows the House to determine whether sufficient grounds exist to transmit Articles of Impeachment to the Senate for trial,” Chua said.
Chua noted that Duterte has yet to submit a formal pleading responding to the remaining impeachment complaints pending before the House.
“As of now, the Vice President has not yet submitted her formal pleading in response to the remaining impeachment complaints. She has every right under the rules to file or not file such pleadings. If she chooses not to do so, that may well be part of a legal strategy to reserve her main defense for the Senate, where the actual impeachment trial will take place,” he said.
But the lawmaker said the Vice President’s latest public statement appears to hint at that legal approach.
“Ironically, however, her latest public statement appears to reveal aspects of that defense strategy. So, takot pala talaga siya sa mga nalalaman ni [Ramil] Madriaga,” Chua said.
He added that such remarks could even strengthen the House’s case if the proceedings move to the next stage.
“Such statements may ultimately aid the House when it performs its constitutional duty of presenting the Articles of Impeachment before the Senate,” he said.
Chua also questioned the message conveyed by Duterte’s statements, saying their tone appears intended to influence public opinion.
“More importantly, the tone and substance of the Vice President’s statement suggest fear rather than truth. It appears directed primarily at her political base in an effort to shape public opinion through misleading narratives,” he said.
The House leader stressed that impeachment proceedings follow established constitutional and parliamentary rules.
“The impeachment process is governed by the Constitution, the Rules of the House, and long-standing parliamentary practice. If the Vice President truly believes in due process, she should engage the process with clarity and respect rather than attempt to discredit it before it even runs its course,” Chua said.
He emphasized that the House would continue performing its mandate under the Constitution.
“The House will not be deterred from performing its constitutional duty,” Chua said.
