Karma Shall Be Served Cold By Justice

After so much debate where emotions at times ran high, the Impeachment Court has finally convened, and the Presiding Officer as well as the incumbent senators who will preside as judges have taken their oath. When the newly elected senators assume their office, the trial shall proceed like any regular court in the country. Sara Duterte will be given a chance to explain her side of the issue, if she chooses to do so. It is also a source of pride for us Bicolanos, as Congresswoman Leila de Lima has been taken as one of the Prosecuting Counsel together with Congressman Chel Diokno. The tables have truly turned and this is poetic justice in motion. What once was power now stands judged and faces accountability. It is, however, unfortunate that the trial has been delayed, as the charges were referred back to the House for certification that no other charges have been filed within one year from the date of filing of this impeachment. This is merely technical, and a dilatory tactic and political maneuvering in favor of Duterte. The Prosecuting Panel has strong evidence to assure successful conviction of the official in question. In the meantime, civil society has also filed plunder cases against Duterte and she stands charged of the same before the Sandiganbayan, the Philippine’s anti-graft court with exclusive jurisdiction over such cases. Plunder is a non-bailable offense, hence the accused will have to stay in jail while the case is being heard. Under Republic Act 7080, amended by RA 7659, plunder is ill-gotten wealth of at least P50 million acquired through criminal acts, one of which is the misuse of public funds. It is punishable by life imprisonment and disqualification from office. The Commission on Audit has flagged hundreds of millions in confidential funds under Duterte’s oversight, reinforcing such plunder allegations. While the Senate acts as the Impeachment Court, the Sandiganbayan also steps in if the plunder cases are proven central.

The public now awaits with the Prosecution Team the Senate rules detailing timelines and additional evidentiary procedures.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

“ THE ARC OF THE MORAL UNIVERSE IS LONG, BUT IT BENDS TOWARD JUSTICE”

- Theodore Parker

FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE:

“ LEARN TO DO RIGHT, SEEK JUSTICE, DEFEND THE OPPRESSED, TAKE UP THE CAUSE OF THE FATHERLESS, PLEAD THE CASE OF THE WIDOW.”

- Isaiah 1:17