FORMER Senator and human rights advocate, Representative Leila de Lima, has strongly criticized Vice President Sara Duterte’s camp regarding their stance on the ongoing impeachment proceedings.
De Lima asserted that the initiation of an impeachment case falls exclusively within the purview of the House of Representatives, emphasizing that respecting this process upholds the constitutional principle of separation of powers. Her statement comes as VP Duterte’s team reportedly seeks recourse from the Supreme Court, a move de Lima characterized as a sign of desperation to evade accountability.
While acknowledging that she had yet to review the full text of the petition filed by the vice president’s camp, Rep. de Lima expressed her firm belief that their arguments are an obvious attempt to avoid facing the impeachment proceedings.
She drew a stark contrast between VP Duterte’s alleged past rhetoric, which she described as invoking “bloodbath,” and her current apparent reluctance to face a simple committee hearing. This perceived fear, according to de Lima, highlights a pattern of evasion rather than a genuine engagement with the legal process.
Rep. de Lima urged the Supreme Court to reject any attempts by VP Duterte to use the judiciary to sidestep accountability. She argued that the Court should not allow itself to be repeatedly utilized as an escape route for the vice president to avoid facing legal and constitutional responsibilities.
De Lima’s statement underscores her conviction that all public officials, regardless of their position, must be held accountable under the law and that the impeachment process is a legitimate mechanism for such scrutiny.
