(Editorial)
VICE President Sara Duterte’s move to seek the outright dismissal of the Articles of Impeachment filed against her has been met with sharp criticism, with critics claiming her camp misled the public earlier when it stated she would formally answer the charges before the Senate sitting as an impeachment court.
According to statements, her team’s current legal maneuver is viewed as inconsistent with their earlier pronouncements, which gave the impression that she would face the process directly and respond to the accusations in a proper trial setting.
Detractors pointed out that her approach is similar to that of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who has gone into hiding amid an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court, saying both figures appear unwilling to face accountability.
Critics argue that the effort to have the case dismissed without full proceedings is an indication of fear — fear that the truth regarding the allegations will be exposed and that their defenses will not hold up under scrutiny. “They are just afraid of being found out,” critics said, stressing that seeking dismissal rather than engaging in the process suggests an attempt to evade responsibility.
The development has deepened the political divide, with those pushing for her impeachment asserting that the vice president is undermining the constitutional process.
They maintain that the complaints filed against her involve serious offenses and that she should instead present her defense openly and allow the evidence to be heard. Meanwhile, her legal team stands by their argument that the complaint is legally defective and lacks basis, insisting that the case should be thrown out. As the Senate prepares to act on her response, the public remains divided over whether her actions are a valid exercise of her rights or a deliberate attempt to escape accountability.
