Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte will test the standard of accountability expected from the country’s highest public officials as the Senate prepares to convene as an impeachment court on July 6.
Acidre, chairman of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education, said the proceedings go beyond politics because national leaders inevitably shape public values, especially among young Filipinos.
“Kung ang mga estudyante natin ay pinapanagot sa bawat salita at kilos nila, lalo nating dapat panagutin ang mga pinuno ng bansa. Mas mataas ang katungkulan, mas mabigat ang pananagutan,” Acidre said.
He said schools teach students that leadership requires discipline, restraint, and accountability, standards he said must also apply to public officials holding the highest positions in government.
“Hindi puwedeng sa loob ng classroom ang itinuturo natin ay paggalang, pagpipigil at responsableng pananalita, pero pagdating sa pinakamataas na opisyal ng bansa, sasabihin nating wala nang pamantayan,” Acidre said.
Acidre stressed that the impeachment trial is not meant to silence political speech, but to allow the Senate to determine whether constitutional standards applicable to a Vice President were violated.
“Hindi ordinaryong mamamayan ang pinag-uusapan natin. Ang pinag-uusapan natin ay ang taong maaaring maging pangulo anumang oras. Kaya hindi rin ordinaryong pamantayan ang dapat nating gamitin sa kanya,” he said.
He said the prosecution’s role is to present evidence, while the Senate’s duty is to evaluate that evidence impartially as an impeachment court.
“Hindi social media ang magpapasya. Hindi press conference ang magpapasya. Ang Senado ang magpapasya batay sa ebidensiyang ihaharap sa impeachment trial,” Acidre said.
Acidre urged the public to follow the proceedings closely and approach the trial with an open mind and respect for the constitutional process.
“Sa Hulyo 6, hindi na opinyon ang magsasalita. Ang magsasalita na ay ang ebidensya. Bilang mamamayan, tungkulin nating pakinggan ito nang bukas ang isip at may paggalang sa proseso ng Konstitusyon,” he said.