FORMER Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers has congratulated newly elected Senate President Win Gatchalian and the members of the Senate for resolving their leadership concerns, saying the development removes a major obstacle to the orderly conduct of the impeachment trial and allows the institution to focus on its constitutional responsibilities.
“Now that the question of Senate leadership has been settled, the nation expects its institutions to return their full attention to the work required by the Constitution,” Barbers said.
According to Barbers, the impeachment process is too important to be overshadowed by political contests or internal disputes.
“The Filipino people have waited long enough. The issues before the impeachment court deserve to be heard, examined, and resolved through the proper constitutional process. Any unnecessary delay risks weakening public confidence in our institutions and undermining the public’s expectation of accountability,” he said.
Barbers emphasized that the role of the impeachment court is neither to protect nor persecute any individual, but to determine the truth based solely on the evidence presented by both sides.
“The impeachment court exists for one purpose: to hear the evidence, uphold due process, and render judgment according to the Constitution. It is not a venue for partisan politics. It is a constitutional mechanism for accountability,” Barbers said.
He stressed that the outcome of the trial must be guided by facts, evidence, and due process.
“Hindi maaaring mauna ang pulitika kaysa sa katotohanan. Ang tungkulin ng Senado ay malinaw: pakinggan ang ebidensya, sundin ang Konstitusyon, at tapusin ang proseso nang may integridad,” Barbers said.
Barbers said the Senate now has an opportunity to reinforce public faith in democratic institutions by demonstrating that accountability, due process, and national interest remain at the heart of the country’s constitutional system.
“The strength of our democracy is measured not by political victories but by the willingness of institutions to perform their duties even when the issues are difficult or politically inconvenient,” he said.
“The question is no longer who leads the Senate. The question now is whether the Senate will complete the constitutional duty before it,” he said.
“Whatever the verdict may be, it must be one that the Filipino people can accept as the product of a fair, impartial, and credible proceeding. Ang mahalaga ay marinig ang ebidensya, masunod ang Konstitusyon, at matapos ang tungkuling ipinag-uutos ng batas,” he said.
“Kapag nalutas na ang usapin ng liderato, wala nang dapat humadlang sa usapin ng pananagutan. Pakinggan ang ebidensya. Sundin ang Konstitusyon. Tapusin ang proseso,” Barbers concluded.
