JAKARTA - The Philippine Palace insists that public officials who face accusations must be held accountable. The statement was made as the Senate prepared to open the impeachment trial of Vice President (Wapres) Sara Duterte.
According to a report by the Philippine News Agency or PNA, quoted on Monday, May 18, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. would not interfere in the process. He said the impeachment trial was the Senate's authority.
"We know that the impeachment trial is the task and mandate of the Senate. The President does not need to interfere with the Senate's mandate because we have a separation of powers," said Castro.
Sara Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives for the second time last week. The charges against him include a number of serious matters, ranging from misuse of secret funds, threats against President Marcos Jr. and his family, unexplained wealth, graft and corruption, to betrayal of public trust.
Graft in this context refers to the abuse of office for personal or group gain.
Castro said accountability must be the guiding principle of all parties. Not only senators who act as judges in the impeachment trial, but also the Filipino public.
"What we must always remember, not only the Senate and the senators, but we ourselves as Filipinos, is that those who must be held accountable must be held accountable," he said.
Castro also reminded that no party should help people who should be held accountable to avoid it.
"Don't let anyone become a way for those who should be responsible to escape," Castro said.
The statement appeared to be a jab at the upper house after the alleged escape of Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, who faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court.
The Philippine Senate, currently headed by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, is constitutionally obliged to continue the trial after the impeachment articles are submitted to the House of Representatives.
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