Losing Battle

My head’s still aching.

What are they impeaching Vice President Duterte for? It’s betrayal of public trust over the allegedly illegal use and mishandling of confidential funds. I personally agree that she has to explain that. That was a lot of money. Where did it all go? How was it all spent? She has to give account for that. Sen. Imee Marcos says that the concerned parties should file the case in the courts. There shouldn’t be any problem with that. But here we are. Congress forwarded the articles of impeachment to the Senate. The Senate voted to return them to Congress. Supreme Court says that it would be unconstitutional to file another set of articles of impeachment within a year. Congress moves for reconsideration, hoping for reversal of decision. Senate votes to archive the impeachment case. My head’s aching in the middle of all this back and forth.

Senate voted to return the articles to Congress. They had the numbers. The Supreme Court decided on the unconstitutionality of filing another impeachment in one year. They had the numbers. The Senate voted to archive the impeachment case. They had the numbers. What if SC reverses its decision? Well, I guess, Congress could file another set of impeachment articles. What if they don’t? Well, Congress could try it again in February next year. I understand that the Vice President did something questionable with the confidential funds, and she has to be held accountable; but we have to respect procedures and numbers. I’m trying hard to understand the big deal about archiving the case. Does it kill the case? Well, as far as the Senate and the Supreme Court are concerned, it’s practically dead. If the Congress files another set of articles, that would be another entity in itself. So, the archiving is merely a formality of the death of the impeachment which the Senate laid on its coffin and which the Supreme Court hammered nails on. It would not matter anymore if it’s not archived. What are they opposing the archiving for? Is it for optics? Is it just for the record? All the debate has become and is becoming pointless. The sad thing is the people who seem to be defending the Vice President who had allegedly misused confidential funds, are becoming champions of upholding due process, justice and the Constitution.

It seems that Congress and the Senate minority is very eager to go with the impeachment trial. I guess, we understand that. It seems that their primary agendum is the impeachment of the Vice President. Should not their primary function be legislation? One could reason that impeachment is included in the functions of the Congress. Okay, yes, we get that. But, it seems that the congressmen have resolved to go with the impeachment as soon as possible, appeal to the Supreme Court if need be. The majority in the Senate are stripping bare the motives of the congressmen and senators who now turn out to be adamantly pushing for impeachment, that it’s purely political. Senators Cayetano and Marcoleta even posed the hypothetical question of similar actions and reactions, had Leni and Kiko won as President and Vice President respectively. I hate to admit it, but I get their point. I know, many of us understand the nobility and validity of the cause of seeking accountability from officials who have mishandled public funds. But, fighting for a noble cause still has to adhere within legal and procedural parameters.

Even if the Supreme Court reverses its decision or for some legal maneuvering, the Congress can once again forward a new set of articles of impeachment this year, it is highly probable that the Senate with its majority would still kill it. The Duterte leaning senators with their great number would have their resolutions to dismiss ready even before those articles reach the Senate halls. They would put it to death immediately. Senator Hontiveros may give an impassioned speech on justice, accountability, good governance and elected officials’ responsibility to the Filipino people, but that won’t matter. Senators Dela Rosa, Padilla and probably joined by Marcoleta would quickly shoot it down. Most probably, there would not even be a trial… again. What would Congress do then, if that happens? Would they file a third set of articles? Would that be the only thing that they do in Congress? I hope not.

In the current stands and number of the majority of the Senate which is the sole body that could convene as an impeachment trial, it looks like a losing uphill battle. Maybe, it’s time to pick our battles.

2 Chronicles 20:17: “You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf”