Impeachment vs. VP Sara seen as key poll issue

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

Escudero noted that members of the 20th Congress, who will be elected during the midterm polls in May, will ultimately decide on the impeachment case, making it a relevant topic for both those seeking legislative office and the electorate. (File Photo: Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – The impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte is expected to be a major election issue, Senate President Francis Escudero said Thursday, emphasizing that it gives voters a substantive basis for evaluating candidates beyond personality-driven politics.

“If this shall be an election issue, so be it. Isn’t that a good thing? At least voters will have a valid issue to ask candidates about, particularly for Congress and Senate races. It allows elections to be issue-based rather than personality-based,” he said during the regular Kapihan sa Senado briefing.

Escudero noted that members of the 20th Congress, who will be elected during the midterm polls in May, will ultimately decide on the impeachment case, making it a relevant topic for both those seeking legislative office and the electorate.

While he sees the focus on impeachment as beneficial for public discourse, Escudero cautioned against premature commitments from candidates, urging them to remain neutral until they have reviewed all evidence.

“So tatanungin ng mga tao: ‘kung iboboto kita, anong boto mo sa impeachment? Di ba? Sa kabilang banda, kailangan maghunos-dili naman din sila kasi bakit pa kami magta-trial kung may desisyon na din sila eh hindi pa naman napapakinggan yung ebidensya (People will ask: ‘If I vote for you, what will your stand be on impeachment?’ But they should be careful. Why conduct a trial if the decision has already been made even before hearing the evidence)?” he said.

Escudero dismissed fears that the impeachment process could destabilize the country, reiterating that it is a constitutional mechanism designed to resolve disputes peacefully.

As one of the 12 senators whose term extend beyond the elections, Escudero urged senatorial hopefuls to exercise restraint when discussing impeachment during their campaigns.

“Ang pinakamaganda sigurong pwedeng masabi ay tatayuan nila kung ano ang tama, nararapat, naaayon sa hustisya, batas, at ebidensya kung saan man siya ituro nun (The best answer candidates can give is that they will uphold what is right, just, and in accordance with the law and evidence — wherever that may lead),” he said.

He also discouraged candidates from making premature declarations on the case.

With the impeachment process expected to influence both campaign narratives and voter decisions, Escudero said the coming months will test how political leaders handle issue-based elections in the country.