Even Sara’s senator-allies must weigh these charges
Senator Bato dela Rosa is sure of exoneration for impeached VP Sara Duterte. He told reporters why last May 23rd:
“I am confident na maa-acquit [siya] dahil nakikita ko na yung ibang alam natin na hindi namin kaalyado ay nagbabago na yung stand. The numbers are growing as far as our side is concerned.”
Nine of 24 senators are needed to clear Sara. Asked if they have the votes, Dela Rosa beamed: “Baka sobra pa.”
Twice, Dec. 3rd and May 15th, Senate President Chiz Escudero has restrained members from commenting. Impeachment is a political decision of judicial issues. As with court magistrates, opinionating is forbidden. Violators face recusal.
Yet four other pro-Sara senators have opined:
• Robin Padilla, Jan. 13th, Iglesia Ni Cristo rally, “Definitely no to impeachment.”
• Imee Marcos, Feb 6th and 18th, “Ayoko ng impeachment, ayoko ng destabilisasyon, ayoko ng revolutionary government, ayoko ng resignation, ayoko ng gulo. Impeachment ba at destabilisasyon ang solusyon? Hindi ito ang sagot sa mga hamon na ating kinakaharap. Nakakahiya!”
• Jinggoy Estrada, May 20th, “Hindi ako sang-ayon sa pagsasagawa ng impeachment trial dahil magdudulot lamang ito ng pagkakawatak-watak nating mga Filipino.”
• Then-Rep. now senator-elect Rodante Marcoleta, Dec. 8th, “Subukan niyong impeach ang VP, I will suggest to her that she should engage me as her defense counsel.”
Jan 13th, INC rally, “Kapag nagtatalo-talo ang mga nasa pamahalaan, apektado ang taongbayan. At kapag magulo ang bansa, ang mga tao ang kawawa. Ang INC ay hindi laban sa impeachment, sapagkat ang impeachment itinatadhana sa Saligang Batas. Ngunit kung ang paraan ng pagsasagawa nito ay wala sa batas at wala sa tuntunin, ito na naman ay pagmumulang ng kaguluhan, pagmumulan na naman ng pagkakabaha-bahagi.”
May 17th, “Preparado ako talaga…Pag-debatehan muna natin kung talagang kinakailangan matuloy o hindi. Nakita ko kasi kung paano nila inilatag. Mali ang batayan, mali ang proseso.”
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On Monday, congressmen-prosecutors will read the seven impeachment charges:
(1) Death threats against President Bongbong Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, Speaker Martin Romualdez. On Nov. 23rd, 2024 VP Sara livestreamed that she has hired a hitman to kill them, “No joke, no joke.”
On Oct. 18th, she gestured grabbing the hair and beheading Marcos.
Two hundred fifteen congressmen stated that Sara cannot alibi that those were mere warnings, not high crimes, betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution.
(2) Confidential fund misuse. Congressmen flagged P255 million in ghost expenses of OVP and DepEd in 2022 and 2023. Payments were made to such names as Mary Grace Piattos, Chippy McDonald, Carlos Miguel Oishi. Payees had no birth, marriage or death certificates, Philippine Statistics Authority said.
OVP and DepEd disbursing officers admitted that they did not personally deliver the payments. Instead, security officers handled the funds on Sara’s instructions.
Sara also unexplainedly spent P125 million in 11 days, Dec. 21st-31st, 2022, including Christmas and Rizal Day holidays.
(3) Bribery. Sara allegedly gave thousands of pesos in cash to former DepEd procurement head Gloria Mercado; also to the bids and awards committee head and chief accountant.
The Army also attested that it did not receive payment for Youth Leadership Summits, contrary to DepEd ledgers.
(4) Unexplained wealth. Up to P2 billion withheld from Sara’s sworn Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth in 2007-2012 and 2016-2022. Amount is disproportionate to her salary as public official.
(5) Extrajudicial killings. Sara is implicated in murders by the Davao Death Squad and her father president Rody Duterte’s bloody war on drugs during her mayoralty.
(6) Inciting to sedition, rebellion. Sara “repeatedly and maliciously caused political turmoil and instability by sowing division and discord within the government.”
(7) Abuse of power. Her conduct as VP allegedly displayed “gross faithlessness against trust and tyranny.”
Conviction will remove Sara as VP and permanently bar her from public office. Even if acquitted, she can still be charged in court for plunder and other penal offenses.
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