Judging those who voted no to the impeachment

We fully respect the decision of Cebu's 3rd District Representative Karen Flores-Garcia, and the choice made by 4th District Representative Shun Shimura, as well as Cebu City North District Representative Cutie del Mar. They had the perfect right to vote No to the impeachment. However, they have a lot to answer to the people and to the judgment of history.

I just have this strange feeling that if their districts were still represented by such great solons as the late Pabling Garcia, the late Benhur Salimbangon, and the late Raul del Mar, respectively, perhaps the vote in the impeachment articles might have been different. I also watched how the late Andres Flores performed in the 1973 Constitutional Convention along with Francis Zosa of the old 6th District, where my town, Ronda, used to belong. And I also figure that delegate Flores might have voted differently. But I can be wrong too.

Of course, I am only speculating, with wishful thinking. But these three honorable members of the House should prepare for the judgment of the people. I have received a good sampling of the backlash and reactions from these three districts, and I feel that such a judgment of their so-called representatives does not reflect the peoples' will. The late Noy Pabling and Raul del Mar as well as Benhur Salimbangon were my model solons in Cebu during the prime of their times, along with Eddie Gullas, Tony Cuenco, and Simeon Kintanar.

These members of the House who voted No might not have consulted their constituencies. At least one half of the voters in their respective districts cannot be deceived, hoodwinked, or bought with a few pesos or kilos of rice and sardines. The people, especially the Gen Z's and the millennials are going to render upon them a judgment they may not like to see. They might have given a premium to their own political future under a possible Sara Duterte presidency. Well, it is their call, and they should face all the consequences for it.

Well, there were others who voted No as well. Vanvan Aumentado of Bohol's 2nd District, Shirlyn Nograles of General Santos, Kiko Barzaga of Cavite, Dale Corvera of Agusan Norte, Nelson Dayanghirang of Davao Oriental, Harold James Duterte of PPP party list, Polong Duterte of Davao City's 1st District, and Omar Duterte of Davao's 2nd District, for obvious reasons. They were joined by Ramil Hernandez of Laguna's 2nd District, and the famous son of Senator Loren, Leandro Leviste of Batangas' 1st District.

Cong Isidro Lumayag of Cotabato's 1st District, Roger Mercado of Southern Leyte's 1st District, Laarni Roque of Bukidnon's 3rd District, Bong Suntay of Quezon City's 4th District (the only one in Metro Manila), Kristine Tutor of Bohol's 3rd District, Isidro Ungab of Davao City's 3rd District, and Julius Vergara of Nueva Ecija's 3rd District. SAGIP Party List Representative Paolo Marcoleta, as expected, voted No, along with Ako Ilocano representative Richelle Singson, and Malasakit Girlie Veloso.

Well, who are we to tell these brilliant legislators how to vote? They are honorable members of the august body of solons. We are only voices crying in the wilderness. But judgment time will come and these solons better be prepared to answer the intelligent questions like: How can you not support an impeachment of an official facing such overwhelming evidence presented in the House Justice Committee?

I think they are smart enough to be able to reply with honor and dignity. But the people are mature enough to judge their choice.