Wazzup Pilipinas!?
In the hallowed chambers of the Philippine Senate, where truth and justice are expected to echo louder than politics, the latest chapter in our democratic journey has plunged the nation into a crisis of confidence and constitutional integrity.
On the surface, it appears to be a simple procedural issue — the return of the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to the House of Representatives. But beneath the technical language and parliamentary semantics lies a festering wound: the blatant erosion of accountability, the distortion of democratic principles, and a mockery of the very Constitution our public servants swore to uphold.
Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero’s firm pronouncement that the House should "respect and follow" the Senate’s decision to remand the impeachment articles back to them may sound resolute to some. But for many, including critics, legal observers, and vigilant citizens, his words are a tragic twist in a dangerous political game — one that risks destroying the last vestiges of trust in the nation’s system of checks and balances.
A Court Like No Other, or a Circus in Disguise?
When the Senate convenes as an impeachment court, it becomes sui generis — a body unlike any other. It is supposed to rise above politics, above partisanship, and above self-preservation. Even the Supreme Court cannot interfere. And yet, the impeachment court’s recent actions reek of bias, cowardice, or worse, complicity.
Speaker Martin Romualdez, himself treading a political tightrope, called the move to return the impeachment articles “deeply concerning.” But perhaps “concerning” is an understatement. For the millions of Filipinos watching this drama unfold, it’s infuriating.
Why would a body tasked solely to try an impeachment case — not dismiss it, not shield the accused — suddenly decide that the complaint belongs back in the House? Why is the motion to remand not coming from the defense, as it rightly should? Is the Senate now acting as both judge and defense counsel?
When Senator-Judges Become Defense Attorneys
Only in the Philippines, it seems, do we see Senator-Judges transform into the personal lawyers of the accused. Instead of standing as impartial arbiters, some have taken it upon themselves to dismantle the process designed to bring truth to light. The Constitution — particularly Article XI, which mandates accountability of public officials — is not a mere suggestion. It is a binding contract with the Filipino people.
When senators betray that contract, they do not just tarnish their own name — they bring shame to the entire nation.
Calls for partial senators to inhibit themselves are growing louder. It is the ethical, honorable, and constitutional thing to do. But honor, it appears, is no longer in fashion in the upper chamber. The rules of justice are being bent, and the world is watching as we turn the impeachment court into a global embarrassment.
Is Escudero Using Technicalities to Avoid Accountability?
Senator Escudero’s insistence on technical processes raises more questions than answers. Is this truly about procedure — or is it about protection? Is this a sincere application of parliamentary law — or a sly maneuver to shield a political ally from the scrutiny she deserves?
When politicians invoke obscure rules and legalese to delay, deny, or deflect justice, the pattern is unmistakable. It is the age-old tactic of hiding behind bureaucracy, exploiting ambiguities, and waiting for the public to forget.
But the Filipino people are not forgetting. Not this time.
The High Cost of Betraying the Constitution
If Senator Escudero cannot muster the resolve to defend the Constitution, then perhaps he never should have taken the oath. An oath without conviction is worse than silence — it is deceit. His failure to rein in fellow senators like Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and others who openly voted to remand the complaint without due process is a betrayal not just of his duty, but of the people he was elected to serve.
A strong Senate President would remind his peers of the gravity of their actions. He would uphold the Constitution, not twist it. He would protect the sanctity of the impeachment process, not prostitute it.
Unfortunately, what we witnessed instead was a performance devoid of integrity.
A Country Held Hostage by Political Loyalties
Behind this entire debacle is the looming shadow of loyalty — not to the Constitution, but to personalities. The pro-Duterte bloc in the Senate, by all indications, appears determined to shield Vice President Sara Duterte from any semblance of scrutiny. Self-interest and political survival have replaced the national interest.
If this impeachment case is ultimately thrown into the wastebasket of history, let it be known that it wasn’t due to lack of evidence or public outrage. It was because our supposed guardians in the Senate chose complicity over courage.
The Final Hope: Let the Truth Be Known
If the impeachment trial is killed before it even begins, there must be another path forward. The evidence gathered by the House — the testimonies, the documents, the truths unearthed — must not be buried. They must be made public.
The Filipino people deserve to know. We demand to know.
The rule of law cannot be sacrificed at the altar of political expediency. The Constitution is not a plaything. And those who violate it must be held accountable — whether today, or in the 20th Congress to come.
As for Senator Escudero, the Filipino people are watching. And in a democracy, public trust is the only currency that truly matters.
Once lost, it’s very hard to earn back.
For truth, justice, and accountability — always. This is the voice of the people. This is Wazzup Pilipinas.
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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