PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. is still against moves to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said yesterday after a huge rally organized by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC).
The religious sect has expressed support for the President’s opposition to impeaching the Vice President. Its “National Rally for Peace” held Monday in Manila and attended by some 1.5 million members asked government officials to focus on providing services to Filipinos instead of engaging in politicking.
The Vice President, who has been criticizing the Marcos administration since last year after she resigned as education secretary, is facing three impeachment complaints at the House of Representatives, accusing her mainly of misusing funds of the Office of the Vice President and of the Department of Education. A fourth impeachment complaint is expected.
The President, prior to the filing of the three complaints last month, said any impeachment move would just be a waste of time.
“The President’s position on the impeachment move in the HoR (House of Representatives) has not changed,” Bersamin said when asked if the INC rally had an impact on Marcos’ impeachment stand against impeachment.
The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan yesterday reaffirmed its support for the Vice President and said it stands united in denouncing, “in the strongest terms,” the baseless and politically motivated impeachment proceedings launched against her.
The PDP, in a statement, said the unwarranted action against Duterte is the latest in a series of calculated attacks aimed at undermining the Vice President’s rightful authority, eroding public confidence in her office, and subverting the will of the people who elected her by an overwhelming mandate.
PDP also said Duterte has been subjected to relentless and malicious attacks, ranging from unfounded accusations to coordinated smear campaigns since she assumed the vice presidency.
“These impeachment efforts, devoid of factual and legal basis, represent an egregious abuse of constitutional mechanisms, orchestrated solely to weaken the leadership of one who has remained a beacon of integrity and resolve,” it added.
“These acts, clearly intended to serve the vested interests of a select few, betray an intent to distract, destabilize, and dismantle a leadership committed to serving the people with honor and determination. It is evident to any impartial observer that this impeachment serves no higher purpose than to silence an independent and fearless leader who remains committed in her pursuit of good governance and social justice,” it said.
PDP reminded those who undermine the Vice President that “no weapon forged against the truth shall prosper, and no conspiracy against justice shall stand the test of time.”
Three impeachment complaints have been filed against Duterte in connection with the alleged anomalous use of the confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education under her leadership.
UNITY
Duterte’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, on Monday night said the country needs to come together instead to move forward, and thanked the INC for organizing the prayer rally for peace.
In a video message posted on his social media account, he said, “This is what our country needs in these critical times. Not impeachment, not waste of government resources, not self-serving schemes, no divisive action. We must unite. We must move forward as one. We must serve the people,” he Duterte.
He thanked all those who attended the rally, saying their participation showed they know and care for what is happening in the country.
“Amidst all this noise, let us be purposeful and ensure the meaningful future of our children and our children’s children. Let us demand what is due to our people,” he added.