EDITORIAL - Stand firm

Nine Cebu lawmakers were among the 215 members of the House of Representatives who signed the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte Carpio last Wednesday.

Cebu 3rd District Representative Pablo John Garcia and Cebu City 1st District Representative Rachel Marguerite Del Mar were the only ones from Cebu who didn’t sign the impeachment.

And now, Cebu City 2nd District Representative Eduardo Rama, Lapu-Lapu City Lone District Representative Cindi Chan, Mandaue City Lone District Representative Lolypop Ouano Dizon, Cebu Province 1st District Representative Rhea Mae Gullas, 2nd District Representative Edsel Galeos, Fourth District Representative Janice Salimbangon, Fifth District Representative Duke Frasco, Sixth District Representative Daphne Lagon, and Seventh District Representative Peter John Calderon, are being criticized by supporters of the Dutertes.

Many of these supporters called them traitors, while others are even implying money or favors were given to ensure their signatures on paper.

Well, those are their claims and we respect their imputations, even though there is no substantial proof that money or favors were given.

With that said, we urge these lawmakers to stand firm on what they believe, political relations or no. They must not forget that at the end of the day they are beholden to the people they serve, not to any politician, no matter how powerful he or she may seem because of huge influence. They must also not forget that people will remember them for what they dared to do, as opposed to what they didn’t dare to do.

While it may be true that some of these lawmakers were seen cozying up to one Duterte or another not too long ago, that was back when the situation was different. That was before some secrets were brought to light, some things said, and some acts done.

There is nothing wrong in changing one’s perception of another person after being presented with enough evidence to do so. Most of all, there is nothing wrong in wanting to keep the Office of the Vice President a dignified position.