And The Narrative Continues

My reflections on my last article regarding the impeachment trial were overtaken by events at the time of writing, and failed to consider some updated aspects of the process. Be that as it may, the narrative of Vice-President Sara Duterte continues, with her plea of “not guilty” and her filing of an Answer Ad Cautelam, dismissing the complaint as lacking in merit and a mere “scrap of paper”. In plain English, an Answer Ad Cautelam means, “I don’t believe this court has the authority to try me—but just to be safe, here’s my answer in case you proceed.” These are clearly common defenses to delay proceedings or get the case dismissed early. But the formal response of the House asserting the validity and timeliness of the complaint means that the case is still very much alive and the process will most likely proceed when the 20th Congress convenes.

The strong defiance of the Vice-President is not only a strategic legal positioning but is actually aimed at public opinion. If she wants to run in 2028, then she is posturing herself to continue her narrative that this is all politically motivated and that she is the victim here of political attacks. She is playing victim to shape public opinion to her favor. It is a calculated scheme ro control the narrative. Her continuing act of discrediting the impeachment process is an act of political survival and fight for future power.

But how long can her legal team hold such a strategy? While this could stick with many poor Filipinos just like President Joseph “Erap” Estrada’s “Erap para sa Masa” messaging which put him back in power, should the trial proceed and uncover credible evidence against her, the public opinion she is very clearly manipulating can turn against her. Hence, the burden of proof lies on the Prosecution Panel that she has committed impeachable offenses, and the burden of persuasion to convince at least 2/3 of the Senate to convict.

BIRTHDAY TRIVIA:

Birthday greetings to our Reverend Fathers Bong Oquindo, Antonio Palaya, Elmer Pandes and Jayson Gaite.

Belated birthday greetings too, to my good friend Joe Osabal. Keep up the good work.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

“ACCOUNTABILITY FEELS LIKE AN ATTACK WHEN YOU’RE NOT READY TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR BEHAVIOR”

-Anonymous

FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE:

“FROM EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN GIVEN MUCH, MUCH WILL BE DEMANDED; AND FROM THE ONE WHO HAS BEEN ENTRUSTED WITH MUCH, MUCH MORE WILL BE ASKED”

- LUKE 12:48