As the Senate prepares for the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, experts are emphasizing the vital role of accountability in sustaining political stability and public trust in the Philippines.
Stratbase Institute president Prof. Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit warned that without accountability, institutions lose credibility, eroding the trust of the Filipino people. “The strength of our democracy lies in how well we hold those in power to account,” Manhit said, stressing that political stability hinges on transparent and principled leadership.
He called on senators to transcend personal interests and political alliances, reminding them that their constitutional mandate must be exercised in service of the people, not political figures. “No one can dictate the outcome of impeachment proceedings. These lie within the Senate’s constitutional mandate,” Manhit noted.
Highlighting the broader consequences, Manhit warned that failure to hold leaders accountable risks diverting public funds away from essential services like education and job creation. “Unaccountable leadership weakens institutions and denies ordinary Filipinos the services they deserve,” he said.
Echoing these sentiments, geopolitical analyst Prof. Richard Heydarian underscored that democratic governance must be rooted in the rule of law, not popularity. “Democracies are not a popularity contest… the ultimate sovereign is the constitution,” Heydarian said.
He emphasized that the impeachment trial must adhere to a rules-based process to maintain public confidence. “The trial has to be credible, and those conducting it must uphold the dignity of the state,” he added.
Both experts underscored that the integrity of the impeachment process will be a defining moment not only for the Senate, but for the strength of the country’s democratic institutions moving forward.
