The House of Representatives has impeached Vice President Sara Duterte, a move akin to Caesar’s army crossing the Rubicon. With that, the Senate now stands as the final arbiter, tasked with fulfilling its duty as the trier of those who breach the public’s trust. The Senate must act at the soonest possible time—not just because it is constitutionally mandated, but because the country, already teetering on the brink of a divisive election, cannot afford delays.
Impeachment is a powerful tool in the democratic system, not merely a procedural formality, but an essential safeguard against the unchecked abuse of power. It is not about the technicalities, nor even solely about whether the individual in question has committed a criminal offense. The heart of impeachment is whether public officials, such as Vice President Duterte, have violated the trust reposed in them by the people, to the point where their continued position in power is no longer tenable.
In this case, the Senate must treat the impeachment trial as a necessary procedure to determine whether Vice President Duterte’s conduct—her behavior in office, her public statements, and her overall governance—has crossed a line that endangers the country’s democratic integrity. In political terms, this is an act of surgery, the excision of a malignancy that, left unchecked, could threaten the patient’s survival.
There is no denying that the impeachment process, though messy and politically charged, is an integral part of the checks and balances in our government. The Senate is not merely a rubber stamp, nor should it be a forum for partisan gamesmanship. It is a body tasked with weighing evidence, deliberating on the facts, and ultimately determining whether a public official has violated the public’s trust to such an extent that their removal is warranted.
This trial should not be delayed for political convenience or dragged out due to partisan concerns. The Senate should act swiftly and decisively, not just to fulfill a constitutional obligation, but to send a clear message that public trust is sacrosanct. Impeachment is not a tool to be wielded recklessly, but it is also not one to be ignored when the integrity of our democratic system is at stake. The decision to impeach Sara Duterte has already been made. Now, it is up to the Senate to fulfill its responsibility with haste and resolve.
The people are watching. In this highly charged political climate, the Senate’s handling of this trial will speak volumes about its commitment to accountability and the strength of our democracy. There is no room for hesitation. The trial should start forthwith, for the good of the nation, and for the future of our democracy.
