Duterte impeachment ‘well-planned’ – Dela Rosa

Metro Manila, Philippines – A Duterte ally in the Senate said he expects the vice president to be impeached, describing the move as meticulously planned by her detractors in the House of Representatives.

“I am expecting for the worst… Meaning, magkakaroon talaga ng impeachment [there will really be an impeachment],” Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said in an online interview on Friday.

Asked why, Dela Rosa said, “well-planned ‘yan. Kaya (So) we are preparing for the worst.”

Lawmakers have endorsed two impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte, marking the start of the process in the House. Both complaints accuse her of misusing millions of pesos in confidential funds, which the complainants claim constitutes a betrayal of public trust – an impeachable offense. The issue has been the subject of hearings.

Asked if the impeachment could have been avoided had Duterte explained her use of the confidential funds, Dela Rosa said no.

“From the very beginning kahit humarap siya o hindi, nakaplano na iyang impeachment na iyan. Hindi naman yan mag-imbestiga kung wala yang balak na impeachment. Lokohin nila yung pagong,” he said.

[Translation: From the very beginning, whether she faces it or not, that impeachment was already planned. They wouldn't be investigating if they didn't have impeachment in mind. They're not fooling anyone.]

“Nakataga na yan sa bato [That is set in stone],” he added.

When pressed for details about the alleged well-orchestrated plan to oust Duterte, Dela Rosa pointed to the timing of the first impeachment complaint, which was filed on the next working day after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed that he had urged lawmakers not to initiate an impeachment.

Dela Rosa said he does not see Malacañang's hand in the impeachment plot. The Palace has also said it had “nothing to do” with it. The complaints were filed by progressive groups and endorsed by lawmakers from the Makabayan party-list block.

“Basta well-planned on the part of those who are planning to impeach VP Sara, regardless kung House or sino yung mga tao diyan,” he said.

[Translation: It’s well-planned on the part of those who are planning to impeach VP Sara, regardless of whether it's the House or whoever is involved.]

Dela Rosa even went as far as challenging Marcos if he was committed to his word that the case should not progress in the House, which is dominated by the president's allies.

“Kung tototo talaga ‘yun – hindi lang yun for show or para maghugas kamay na text – sana may epekto, maramdaman natin yung epekto,” he said.

[Translation: If that’s really true – and not just for show or to wash his hands from the issue – there should be an impact, we should feel the effect.]

Duterte would be impeached if at least one-third of the House votes in favor, sending the case to the Senate, which will act as the impeachment court for the trial. She would finally be convicted with a two-thirds vote, or 16 senators.

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero earlier reminded his colleagues to refrain from issuing public comments related to the impeachment proceedings.

“Should the Senate be called upon to act as an impeachment court, any perception of bias or pre-judgment would undermine not only the integrity of the impeachment trial but also the public's trust in the Senate as an institution,” Escudero said in a statement on Dec 3.