Outcry from House after Senate ‘kills’ VP Sara impeachment case

‘The Senate hammered another nail on the coffin of accountability,’ Akbayan Representative Chel Diokno says

MANILA, Philippines – House opposition lawmakers were quick to condemn the Senate after it decided to abort the articles of impeachment, effectively aborting the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday, August 6.

Rappler reporter Dwight de Leon gives a wrap of the early reactions from the lower chamber. Below are text excerpts of their statements, translated into English.

Akbayan Representative Chel Diokno

“It would have been more prudent for the Senate to wait for the ruling of the Supreme Court on the motion for reconsideration filed by the House of Representatives. Instead, the Senate hammered another nail on the coffin of accountability — whatever you want to call it, to dismiss, archive, or, in the words of one senator himself, kill the Articles of Impeachment.”

Akbayan Representative Perci Cendaña

“Shameful. The Senate’s decision regarding the impeachment complaint against the Vice President is shameful. They chose to surrender their independence and willfully abandon their constitutional mandate. Today, the Senate decided to become a Duterte Senate.

“By turning its back on its duty, the Senate has become an enabler and protector of the Vice President’s crimes: the plunder of ₱612 million in confidential funds and the blatant abuse of power.”

ACT Teachers Representative Antonio Tinio

“By shelving the case, the Senate proves it is more afraid of the Duterte camp than Filipino taxpayers demanding answers.”

Kabataan Representative Renee Co

“They no longer need to be ashamed; it’s obvious now who they truly serve.”

– Rappler.com