AKBAYAN Party-list Rep. Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno on Wednesday called on the Senate to heed both the Constitution and the clear public sentiment urging a formal impeachment trial for Vice President Sara Duterte.
Diokno issued the statement after a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed that 66 percent of Filipinos support Duterte facing charges through the impeachment process, while 19 percent disagreed and 15 percent were undecided.
“Tingin ko, matagal nang hinihintay ng sambayanang Pilipino na makita ang ebidensya ng prosecution doon sa impeachment case,” Diokno said during a press conference.
“‘Yun mismo ang utos ng Saligang Batas na ‘pag dumating ‘yung verified complaint na may pirma ng at least one-third na members ng House, ‘yan ay ituturing na articles of impeachment at agad-agad kailangan magkaroon na ng trial,” he added.
Diokno emphasized that the Constitution leaves no room for delay once the Senate receives the verified articles of impeachment.
“Pag sinabi nating trial, ang ibig sabihin nun ay ‘yung mismong pagharap ng ebidensya, pag-upo ng mga testigo para malaman natin kung ano ba talaga ang kaso,” Diokno said.
“Sa impeachment kasi, hindi lang naman ang mga senators ang naghuhusga. Pati lahat tayong mga Pilipino ay judge din dahil ‘di ba ang kasabihan natin sa Konstitusyon ay ‘public office is a public trust’—and that trust must never be abused or violated,” he pointed out.
Diokno said the strong public attention during the House hearings showed how engaged citizens were in the process and how important transparency and accountability are to them.
“Noon pa lang hearings ng iba’t ibang committee ng House of Representatives, nakita naman nating lahat na tutok na tutok ang mga ordinaryong Pilipino,” he said.
“Halos lahat ng mga tahanan ay alam nila kung ano ang nangyayari, kung sino ang tumestigo, anong ebidensya ang hinaharap—and that, I believe, really raised their attention and awareness about what impeachment is all about,” he continued.
He added that while public opinion is not the sole basis for decision-making, elected officials, including senator-judges, should not ignore it.
“Well, tingin ko naman lahat ng mga nasa pamahalaan ay sensitive sa public opinion. Whether they will admit it or not, that is always a factor, especially for elected officials,” he said. “Pero para sa akin, ‘yun talagang dapat mangibabaw dito ay ano ba ‘yung utos ng ating Saligang Batas, at sa akin malinaw ‘yun—conduct the trial now.”
Diokno welcomed Sen. Joel Villanueva’s announcement that the Senate will reconvene as an impeachment court on August 4, calling it a positive step toward fulfilling the duty imposed by the Constitution.
“The Constitution commands that the Senate, after it has convened the impeachment court, must conduct the trial forthwith. That should happen. Para sa akin, ‘yun na talaga ang kailangang mangibabaw sa lahat ng mga senator-judge natin,” he said.
He added that the latest survey results should serve as an “eye opener” for all public officials.
“Tingin ko ‘yung lumabas sa survey, talagang eye opener ‘yan para sa lahat. Kasi ang pinapakita niyan, inaantay ng sambayanang Pilipino ‘yung paglitis nito. We are all waiting for the trial to begin. I think you can come to that conclusion from the results of the survey,” Diokno stressed.
