HOUSE Committee on Higher and Technical Education Chair Jude Acidre emphasized on Sunday that the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte must be decided based on concrete evidence and the principle of accountability, rather than being influenced by political calculations related to the 2028 elections.
Acidre, who also serves as a member of the House Committee on Justice, made these remarks as the committee continues its hearings to determine probable cause for the impeachment complaints.
Acidre acknowledged that in such a politically charged environment, some lawmakers might be considering the vice president’s perceived strength for future elections, potentially influencing their decisions.
However, he stressed that fear or hesitation, while understandable in politics, should not deter legislators from confronting the core issue: whether the vice president should be impeached based on her actions and responsibilities. “Should we hold her accountable for something?” Acidre questioned, urging his colleagues to focus on the evidence presented and whether wrongdoing has occurred.
The committee chairman also pushed back against the idea that decisions should be made hastily or uniformly, asserting that the gravity of impeachment warrants careful deliberation.
“You’re talking about a high government official who has a very huge mandate and that alone puts her in a good position for the next election. We owe it to the people to provide a really balanced understanding,” Acidre stated, highlighting the need for thorough consideration. He added that the House is utilizing these hearings to ensure all members, including those not part of earlier inquiries, are fully informed and can make a balanced judgment.
The impeachment complaints against Vice President Duterte are rooted in issues previously raised in House investigations, including allegations of misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, and other accountability concerns.
The Committee on Justice, chaired by Batangas Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro, is currently tasked with evaluating whether sufficient grounds exist to forward the case to the Senate for a trial. Acidre’s statements serve as a call for an impartial and evidence-driven process, free from the pressures of future political ambitions.
