Sara Duterte impeached; House gets 215 to sign

Salvador Paneloformer chief presidential legal counsel

Their move will only galvanize the support of the Filipino people on VP Sara, and will fan the flames of disgust and rage against their willful and brazen violation of the guarantees enshrined in the Constitution,

Panelo said

It’s up to you how you perceive me. But I will still maintain my political neutrality. Just wait for my vote,

Dela Rosa said

They are cunning. They will take us hostage as we sit as judges of the (Senate) impeachment court while they hit the campaign trail,

Dela Rosa told reporters

Salvador Paneloformer chief presidential legal counsel

She will face the impeachment—smilingly, courageously and competently,

Panelo told the Inquirer in a Viber message

I have been expecting this to happen. I saw their efforts to impeach the Vice President,

he said

I’m not denying that I’m close with the President and I’m identified with the Dutertes, but my decision will be made once I have studied the articles of impeachment and (after) the prosecution (team) has presented their case,

he said

I am appalled and enraged by the desperate and politically motivated efforts to railroad the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte,

he said in a Facebook post

The fact that Duterte deliberately failed and repeatedly refused to account for the expenditure of confidential funds of the OVP and the DepEd, and engaged in maneuvers purposely designed to prevent scrutiny, is beyond a shadow of a doubt, betrayal of public trust,

according to the complaint

Respondent Duterte’s conduct throughout her tenure clearly displays gross faithlessness against public trust and a tyrannical abuse of power that, taken together, showcases her gross unfitness to hold public office and her infidelity to the laws and the 1987 Constitution,

the complaint said

These actuations and statements from respondent Duterte do not only cast doubt as to her capability and fitness to continue serving under the same body politic she so criticizes, it also strongly evinces a betrayal of the trust imposed upon her by the public and the dignity required of her office,

the complaint said

This Congress will not allow itself to be used for any interest, except for the interest of the people. We will fight for what is right. We will right the wrong,

he said

The sinister maneuvering of certain lawmakers, led by Rep. Garin, to hastily collect signatures and push for the immediate approval and transmittal of this baseless impeachment case is a clear act of politicial persecution."

Her brother, Paolo Duterte, Representative of Davao City's First District, did not sign it, and dismissed the move as baseless

First, she threatened the President, the First Lady, and the Speaker, claiming she hired an assassin to kill them. Next is the misuse of confidential funds. Then there's the bribery issue, arising from the testimony of Usec. Mercado, that they received."

Joel Chua, member of the House prosecution team, countered

I imagines myself cutting his (Marcos Jr.’s) head.”

She has also publicly stated

As of this hour, I have yet to make my official report to the Senate president because as the secretary of the Senate, it is my duty to provide completed staff work to the Senate president and to all the members of the Senate,

said Bantug

The process earlier, it was ministerial on my part to receive the verified complaint, the annexes but after that—and I made it clear to the secretary general—that I have to perform staff work insofar as making sure that whatever the House transmitted is what the Senate also received,

he added

The Senate must not falter. This is a moment of truth — will they stand with the people or enable the rot of unaccountability? The country deserves a Senate that will not cower in the face of power,

he added

Chel Dioknolawyer

They tried to destroy the image of EDSA and steal its spirit, but in the end, they shot themselves in the foot. EDSA is for truth, justice, and accountability — not for those who are greedy for power, thieves, and murderers,

Diokno added

These lawmakers obviously have not heeded the overwhelming voice of the people opposing the impeachment of the vice president, nor have they respected the wish of PBBM (President Marcos) to forego such a divisive and non-productive political endeavor that does not benefit a single Filipino,

Panelo said

This impeachment is not a personal fight — it is not just about VP Sara — and it should not be seen as merely politics. It's a fight of the Filipino people against the abuse, corruption, and disregard for our institutions, as well as the disrespect and neglect of the processes set forth in our Constitution,

she said in Filipino