‘God save the Philippines from Duterte 2.0’

MANILA, Philippines — Reacting to Vice President Sara Duterte’s repeatedly saying “God save the Philippines,” militant members of the House of Representatives said, “God save the Philippines from corruption and EJKs. God save the Philippines from Duterte 2.0.”

They lambasted Duterte for her “cavalier attitude” toward impeachment.

The lawmakers belonging to the Makabayan bloc were reacting to Duterte’s press conference yesterday, during which she joked that a romantic breakup is worse than getting impeached.

“We, the Makabayan bloc in Congress, are appalled by Vice President Sara Duterte’s cavalier attitude toward her historic impeachment, comparing it to a mere romantic breakup. This shows her utter disregard for the gravity of the charges against her and her contempt for public accountability,” ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Arlene Brosas and Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel said in a joint statement.

“Impeachment is not like breaking up with a partner. This is a serious matter of accountability to the people and misuse of public funds,” Castro said.

“The Vice President may find it amusing to trivialize her impeachment, but the Filipino people are not laughing. The missing confidential funds, the ghost employees and the questionable transactions are serious matters that demand explanation,” Brosas said.

“Let us remind the Vice President that impeachment is not a simple Valentine’s story. This is about millions of pesos in public funds that cannot be accounted for,” Manuel said.

Castro, Brosas and Manuel told Duterte that they will see her in the impeachment court.

“We will see you, Madam Vice President. There, you will have to face not a heartbroken lover, but the Filipino people demanding accountability,” they said.

“This is a big deal to the youth because we lose if a thief stays in the government position. You are unbothered Sara, but we are bothered. The people will save the Philippines from corrupt politicians like you,” Manuel said.

“What the Philippines needs saving from is the kind of governance that treats public funds like a personal ATM,” Brosas said.

“Let’s not forget why this impeachment happened in the first place: the questionable use of confidential funds, the blatant lack of transparency and the refusal to be held accountable,” she added.

Sandro explains signature in complaint

President Marcos’ son, Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, said Duterte’s threat to exhume his grandfather’s remains and kill his parents and his uncle Speaker Martin Romualdez made him decide to be the first to sign the impeachment complaint against the Vice President.

“Now, as to why I was the first one to sign, I was wondering why the people are surprised. It doesn’t make sense when people would say that they would exhume my grandfather, throw his remains to the West Philippine Sea. She said she wants to kill the President and the First Lady who are my parents and she wants to kill the Speaker, why were the people surprised?” Marcos said over Radyo 630.

“You know, these are statements that cannot be taken lightly, especially from someone with such a high position. It should come as a no surprise. So, that is why I was the first to sign,” he added.

Marcos said he talked to his father about the impeachment complaint against Duterte.

“I asked him what advice he can give me. And it is right when he said do your duty as a congressman and uphold your oath to the Constitution that you swear to protect. And it is my constitutional duty to go through the impeachment process as an elected representative,” Marcos said.

For members of the Young Guns in the House of Representatives, Duterte was showing “anxiety” over her impeachment during her press conference.

In a joint statement, Reps. Pammy Zamora (Taguig City), Jil Bongalon (Ako Bicol Party-list), Paolo Ortega (La Union) and Jay Khonghun (Zambales) said Duterte’s show of “nonchalance” was poorly executed.

“Vice President Duterte’s press conference was meant to downplay the seriousness of the impeachment complaint against her. Instead, her dismissive remarks only reinforced the perception that she is deeply anxious about the trial ahead,” they said.

They criticized Duterte’s remarks as lacking substance.