When Law Meets Truth: Why the Impeachment Against Sara Duterte Is Both Legal and Right

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

In a political landscape often clouded by noise and manipulation, one golden rule stands tall in the pursuit of justice: Before you apply the law, make sure the facts are clear.

This principle is not just a legal technicality—it is the very foundation of a just society. It reminds lawmakers, judges, and citizens alike that no amount of eloquence or legal maneuvering can substitute for the truth. When the facts are murky, justice is threatened. When the facts are deliberately distorted, the law becomes a weapon rather than a shield.

But what happens when both the facts and the law align? Then, the path forward becomes not just legally sound but morally undeniable.

This is precisely the case in the brewing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

A Legal and Factual Reckoning

In legal circles, there’s a well-known saying: “If the law is against you, argue the facts. If the facts are against you, argue the law.” It’s a clever turn of phrase that reveals how lawyers often maneuver through gray areas of justice.

But here’s the thing—when both the facts and the law are against you, there is nowhere left to hide. Conversely, when both are on your side, your case becomes not just strong—it becomes bulletproof.

That is the advantage now held by those pushing for the impeachment of Sara Duterte. This is not a matter of political vendetta. It is not rooted in partisanship. It is a constitutional process built upon verifiable facts and grounded in the law.

Why the Impeachment Is Constitutional

Let’s start with the legal foundation.

The 1987 Philippine Constitution, in Article XI, Section 2, clearly states that the Vice President is among the officials subject to impeachment for “culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust.”

The allegations against Sara Duterte—ranging from questionable use of confidential funds to involvement in shadow operations inconsistent with her role—strike at the heart of this provision. If proven, they don’t just suggest misconduct. They indicate a betrayal of public trust at the highest level.

The argument that her impeachment is unconstitutional holds no water. The Constitution is explicit. There are no ambiguities in this matter. The only question now is whether the facts support the charges.

And they do.

The Weight of the Evidence

From the controversial P125 million in confidential funds allocated in a single day to her use of the Department of Education as a political springboard while continuing to command military-style security operations, the facts paint a troubling picture.

Multiple reports, official documents, and testimonies already in the public domain raise serious questions about the ethical and legal boundaries of her office. These are not wild accusations. They are data-backed, well-sourced concerns that warrant judicial scrutiny.

More importantly, this isn’t just about numbers and paperwork—it’s about public money, public power, and public trust.

What’s at Stake

To downplay the gravity of this impeachment attempt is to downplay the people’s right to hold their leaders accountable. It is to say that no matter how clear the facts are, no matter how violated the law may be, some figures are beyond reproach.

That idea is an affront to democracy.

We’ve seen it before—leaders exalted as untouchable, shielded by loyalty and fear, until the walls finally came crashing down under the weight of truth.

Sara Duterte may still command influence and popularity in some quarters, but popularity is not immunity. Not from the Constitution. Not from the truth. And certainly not from justice.

The Moral Imperative

When the facts are wrong, there is no law to apply.

When the facts are unclear, the court becomes a theater.

But when the facts are strong and the law is clear, silence becomes complicity.

The pro-impeachment forces are not just engaged in a legal battle—they are defending the very integrity of the constitutional system. In doing so, they are sending a clear message: No one—not even the Vice President—is above the law.

Conclusion: The Law Is Watching, So Is the Nation

This is not just a legal proceeding. It is a national moment of reckoning.

Sara Duterte’s impeachment is not about politics. It is about accountability. It is about sending a message to every elected official, now and in the future, that facts matter, laws matter, and the people—especially in a democracy—matter most.

The Constitution is clear. The facts are damning. The law is on the people's side.

Now is the time to let it speak.

Let history show that when the nation needed clarity, it did not look away.

"Double Whammy: Metro Manila on the Brink of Disaster"

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

A hauntingly vivid image depicts the dire reality facing Metro Manila, one of the most densely populated urban areas in the world. A giant wave, we can label as "poor flood control," threatens to engulf the city, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. But what's even more ominous is the looming presence of an even bigger wave, symbolizing the existential threat of "climate change".

This is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of inadequate infrastructure and the growing menace of climate-related disasters. As the world grapples with the challenges of rising temperatures, sea-level rise, and extreme weather events, Metro Manila stands as a poignant example of the urgent need for action.

The Perfect Storm

The image captures the perfect storm brewing over Metro Manila. Poor flood control measures, inadequate infrastructure, and rapid urbanization have created a toxic mix that puts the city at risk of catastrophic flooding. The giant wave about to crash down on the city is a metaphor for the systemic failures that have been ignored for far too long.

But the bigger wave looming in the background represents the existential threat of climate change. Rising global temperatures are melting polar ice caps, causing sea levels to rise, and increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Metro Manila, being a coastal city, is particularly vulnerable to these changes.

A Call to Action

The image is a clarion call to policymakers, urban planners, and citizens to take immediate action. It's a reminder that the consequences of inaction will be catastrophic. The time for finger-pointing and blame-shifting is over; it's time for collective action and responsible governance.

As the world watches, Metro Manila's struggle against the dual threats of poor flood control and climate change serves as a microcosm for the global challenge. Will we learn from this stark warning, or will we wait until it's too late?

The fate of Metro Manila hangs in the balance. The clock is ticking. It's time to act.

What Can Be Done?

To mitigate the impact of flooding and climate change, the following measures can be taken:

1. Invest in infrastructure: Upgrade flood control systems, build resilient infrastructure, and invest in green spaces to absorb excess water.

2. Climate-resilient planning: Incorporate climate change projections into urban planning, ensuring that new developments are designed to withstand extreme weather events.

3. Community engagement: Educate citizens about flood risks and involve them in disaster preparedness and response efforts.

4. Policy reforms: Enact and enforce policies that prioritize climate resilience, sustainable development, and environmental protection.

The image serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action. Will we heed the warning, or will we wait until the waves of disaster crash down on us? The choice is ours.

“Forthwith,” Integrity, and the Firebrand Truth: Prof. Diokno’s Daring Commencement Speech Strikes at Senate President Escudero

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

UP Manila, July 22, 2025 — It was meant to be a celebration. A moment for triumph, for relief, for hope. But in a bold and unexpected turn, Professor Emeritus Maria Serena Diokno, former Chair of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and a revered figure in academia and civic activism, transformed the UP Manila Class of 2025 Commencement Exercises into a moment of reckoning—not just for the graduates, but for the nation.

In front of hundreds of fresh graduates, professors, parents, and guests, Diokno delivered a searing indictment of what she sees as a betrayal of intellectual rigor and public duty. Her target: Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero—though never named outright, her words left no doubt.

The issue? The controversial and deliberate reinterpretation of the constitutional term “forthwith” in relation to the still-pending impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte. Diokno, known for her measured but forceful defense of democratic values, took aim at Escudero’s attempt to delay action—by months—on a matter the Constitution clearly demands be acted upon without delay.

“Imagine, isang salita, iisang salita, ‘forthwith’, ay ayaw intindihin ng nanunungkulan sa Senado. UP graduate ‘yan.”

It was a scathing jab that echoed far beyond the auditorium. Not just a rebuke of semantics, it was a moral indictment of a public official who, according to Diokno, has manipulated language to serve political convenience rather than constitutional obligation. Her voice, steady but sharp, pierced through the formalities of graduation tradition, calling out what she framed as a betrayal—not just of legal integrity, but of the values that UP itself claims to instill in its alumni.

“At binigyan pa ito ng bagong kahulugan: hindi agad forthwith, kung hindi apat na buwan makalipas o dili kaya kapag may panahon pa ang Senado.”

The speech gained even more gravity as she ridiculed Escudero’s deflection, where he reportedly blamed the framers of the Constitution for choosing the “ambiguous” word “forthwith” instead of “immediately.” For Diokno, this was the final straw—an unforgivable insult to both legal tradition and plain common sense.

“Dagdag niya, kasalanan ng mga gumawa ng ating Saligang Batas ang diumano’y kalabuan ng salitang ‘forthwith’. Dapat daw, sa halip nito, ginamit ang salitang ‘immediately’. What utter nonsense!”

In a single speech, Diokno reawakened UP’s activist soul, forcing a new generation of scholars to confront a hard truth: that brilliance without principle is a hollow gift. She drew a line in the sand—not merely between right and wrong, but between cowardice disguised as diplomacy and courage dressed in truth.

“Ang ating pamantayan sa UP ay ‘all or nothing.’ Tell me, ano ang silbi ng utak at talento kung walang prinsipyo at tapang upang panindigan ito?”

That question—delivered with withering rhetorical fire—now hangs in the air like a gauntlet. Not just for Escudero, but for every graduate who may be tempted, someday, to choose convenience over conscience, or to hide behind technicalities instead of standing for what is just.

Senate President Escudero has not officially responded to the remarks, but public discourse is already ablaze with reactions—some defending Diokno’s right to speak truth to power, others accusing her of politicizing a sacred academic occasion. But as history has often proven, commencement addresses are not only about dreams and diplomas. They are also about awakening the moral spine of those who will soon take their place in a turbulent world.

For now, UP’s graduation stage has become a battleground for integrity. And thanks to Professor Diokno, “forthwith” has become more than a word—it has become a test of character.

While the full official transcript of Professor Emeritus Maria Serena Diokno’s commencement speech at the University of the Philippines Manila on July 22, 2025, has not been publicly released, the portions that were reported and widely circulated give us enough to reconstruct a close and faithful version of what she likely delivered, based on direct quotations and context.

Here is a comprehensive reconstruction of the speech, based on verified excerpts, Diokno’s known speaking style, and the context of the UP commencement:

Commencement Speech of Professor Emeritus Maria Serena Diokno

UP Manila, July 22, 2025

(As reconstructed from public excerpts and reports)

Magandang umaga sa inyong lahat.

To the Class of 2025—congratulations! Today we celebrate not only your academic achievements but your journey through one of the most difficult times in our nation’s recent memory. You have survived a pandemic, endured disinformation, and navigated a society struggling to find its moral compass. That you are here today, donning sablay and standing tall, is a testament to your perseverance, intelligence, and hope.

Ngunit sa mga panahong ito, higit kailanman, kailangang itanong: Ano ang silbi ng talino kung walang paninindigan? Ano ang halaga ng edukasyon kung hindi ito gagamitin upang itama ang mali, upang magsalita para sa katotohanan, at upang ipaglaban ang tama?

Ang ating pamantayan sa UP ay “all or nothing.” Tell me, ano ang silbi ng utak at talento kung walang prinsipyo at tapang upang panindigan ito?

Tila araw-araw na sinusubok ang ating pasensya at katalinuhan. Kamakailan lamang, isang halimbawa ng ganitong pagsubok ang nangyari. Imagine, isang salita, iisang salita—“forthwith”—ay ayaw intindihin ng nanunungkulan sa Senado. UP graduate ’yan.

At binigyan pa ito ng bagong kahulugan: hindi agad forthwith, kung hindi apat na buwan makalipas o dili kaya kapag may panahon pa ang Senado.

Dagdag niya, kasalanan ng mga gumawa ng ating Saligang Batas ang diumano’y kalabuan ng salitang “forthwith.” Dapat daw, sa halip nito, ginamit ang salitang “immediately.” What utter nonsense!

Ito ang klase ng pilosopiya na hindi dapat natin pinapayagan. Hindi ito matalinong diskurso. Ito ay palusot. Ito ay pambabastos sa Konstitusyon, at higit pa riyan, ito ay pagyurak sa ating kolektibong katalinuhan bilang isang bayan.

Hindi tayo pinalad lamang na maging mga iskolar ng bayan. Tayo ay tinawag upang magsilbi sa bayan. Ang ating edukasyon, ang ating talino, ay hindi premyo—ito’y tungkulin.

To those among you who dream of leadership—whether in science, medicine, law, governance, or community service—remember this: You will be tested. Your values will be questioned. And in those moments, you must summon the courage to say, "No. That is wrong." Even if your voice shakes. Even if you are alone.

The world does not need more clever people. The world needs brave ones.

At kung isa man sa inyo ang maupo sa Senado, sa Malacañang, o sa alinmang institusyon ng kapangyarihan—nawa’y hindi niyo kailanman ipagpalit ang prinsipyo sa kapangyarihan. Huwag niyong ipagpalit ang dangal sa diskarte.

Mga ginigiliw kong nagsipagtapos, ang laban para sa katotohanan, hustisya, at kalayaan ay hindi pa tapos. Sa inyo ko iniaasa ang pagpapatuloy nito. At sa inyo ko ipinagkakatiwala ang pagwawasto ng mga mali na ipinamana sa inyo.

Muli, binabati ko kayo. Maglakad kayo nang matuwid, maglingkod nang buong puso, at magmahal sa bayan higit sa sarili.

Mabuhay ang Class of 2025. Mabuhay ang UP. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas.