The secretary general of the General Alliance of Workers Association (GAWA), condemned in the strongest possible terms in a statement, the recent Senate decision to remand the Articles of Impeachment against VP Sara Duterte back to the House of Representatives.
Wennie Sancho said this move has been perceived as a blatant attempt to shield the Dutertes from accountability undermining the very foundations of democracy. It is in fact a mockery of democracy.
It is a manifestation of the Senate’s failure to serve the people, he stressed, adding that the Senate’s action demonstrated a clear disregard for the principles of justice, transparency, and accountability. By prioritizing the interests of the powerful over those of the people, the Senate has forfeited its legitimacy and trust. We the people can no longer rely on this institution to uphold the rule of law and protect our rights.
The actions of the 18 Senators to remand the Articles of Impeachment against VP Sara Duterte has sparked widespread outrage and criticism. Their actions have shown that they are unworthy to be called Senator-Judges. They have failed to uphold the Constitution and protect the rights of the people, instead they have acted as wolves in sheep’s clothing using their positions to shield the powerful from accountability, Sancho said.
In the light of this betrayal, we call for the impeachment of these 18 Senators including Senate President Chiz Escudero. They have demonstrated a clear disregard of the principles of democracy and rule of law. It is time for them to be held accountable for their actions, he said.
Their actions have shown that they are not fit to wear the robes of Senator-Judges. They should be stripped of their positions and held accountable for their betrayal of the Filipino people. The people deserve better, it is time for leaders to prioritize the nation’s interests over personal and political agenda, Sancho said.
This decision has significant implications for the country’s democracy, as it suggests that the Senate is more interested in protecting the powerful than in holding them accountable. As the nation grapples with the implications of this decision, it is clear that the Senate’s action will have far-reaching consequences for the country’s democracy and rule of law, the statement added.
The people must remain vigilant and demand greater accountability from their leaders. Let us not allow this mockery of justice to be perpetuated by these pretenders using their legislative power by wearing the garb of sanctity by clothing themselves with righteousness in trampling our constitutional rights which they had sworn to defend, Sancho concluded.*
