Palace calls for accountability as Senate opens impeachment trial

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

Vice President Sara Duterte (Inday Sara Duterte/facebook)

MANILA – Malacañang on Monday said it is up to the Senate to conduct a fair impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte, while emphasizing that public officials facing allegations must ultimately be held accountable.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stressed that the Executive branch would not interfere with the impeachment proceedings, citing the constitutional principle of separation of powers.

“Alam naman po natin ang impeachment trial ay trabaho po ito at mandato po ito ng Senado. Hindi po kailangan na makialam ang Pangulo sa sinabing mandato ng Senado dahil mayroon po tayong separation of powers (We know that the impeachment trial is the work and mandate of the Senate. The President does not need to interfere with the said mandate of the Senate because we have the so-called separation of powers),” Castro said during a Palace briefing.

Castro issued the statement as the Senate is expected to convene Monday afternoon as an impeachment court for Duterte’s trial.

The Vice President was impeached by the House of Representatives for a second time last week over allegations that include misuse of confidential funds, threats against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and his family, unexplained wealth, graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust.

Castro said accountability should remain the guiding principle not only for senators serving as judges in the impeachment court but also for the Filipino public.

“Ang dapat lang po sigurong lagi nating tandaan hindi lamang ang Senado, hindi lang sa Senado at senador kung hindi tayo mismong mga Pilipino – ang dapat na managot ayon nga sa Pangulo ay dapat na managot (What we should always remember, not only the Senate and senators, but we Filipinos ourselves – those who should be held accountable, according to the President, should be held accountable),” she said.

“So, huwag na lamang siguro maging daan ang sinuman sa pagtakas ng mga dapat na managot (So, don’t let anyone be an ‘accomplice’ in the escape of those who are supposed to be held accountable),” she added, an apparent dig at the upper chamber following the supposed escape of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who is facing a warrant of arrest from the International Criminal Court.

The Senate, now led by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, is constitutionally mandated to proceed with the impeachment trial following the transmittal of the Articles of Impeachment by the House.