February 25, 2025
Manila – In a democratic country, accountability is not only an expectation; it is an urgent task. As citizens, we have trust in elected officials uphold the Constitution and abide by the rule of law. However, we witnessed a disturbing stagnation in the impropriety process against Vice President Sara Duterte. Senate President Chiz Escudero's unstable stance raises disturbing questions. His obvious hesitation, or more appropriately described as intentional procrastination – has a long shadow on his credibility and threatens the integrity of our political system. It is worth noting that he failed to call his senator formally or informally, asking a basic core group to discuss how to act after the complaint is filed two days before the House of Representatives filed, two days before the formal recession of the Assembly.
As a petition against Duterte’s vice president floods the Supreme Court, the issue of accountability will be the central stage. However, instead of embracing the moment, Escudero involved problematic patterns of forks and excuses that could only make the waters mud further. His rapidly oscillating message suggests a disturbing and dangerous trend: blocking the vice president from censorship, potentially avoiding lawsuits for senators’ trials.
Do we see this behavior as merely political maneuver? Or is this a mean duty? Our constitutional framework is clear: every civil servant, including the vice president, must answer their actions. By placing lawsuits under disguised excuses, Escudero undermined the legitimacy of his office and eroded the basic principles of equal justice as stipulated by law. The huge impression is that this will play a political role strategically, producing narratives designed to protect strong while ridding the grievances of everyday citizens.
This crisis goes beyond political expediency. Fundamentally, it’s about governance and the nature of our democracy. This consequence is profound when Senate presidents take a casual rule approach and they bent over to favor political allies rather than advocate for justice. We can confidently say that the same judicial system that evaluates violations can remain fair in the face of political cases? This is a dangerous territory that can manipulate established laws to serve individual or political agendas.
Escudero's strategy is becoming increasingly disconnected, and a growing population calls for transparency. His hollow excuse resonates loudly, marking a true retreat for public services – not about the greater good, but about protecting the vested interest. This inaction conveys a message to all citizens who love freedom, the promise of trading justice for political convenience.
Let's consider the greater meaning of this indecision. Hesitantly cultivates a culture that puts power in charge responsible. If Escudero continues in this way, he risked his legacy and the reputation of the Senate once a fortress of democracy. What is the precedent of the impropriation each that delays the impropriation each for the future governance of our country? It challenges the responsibility structure based on our society. Without correction, we risk nurturing powerful, fertile corruption and dangerous rights that further erode our democratic ideals.
It's time for Senate President Chiz Escudero to abandon his evasion drill and fulfill his constitutional obligations. A firm commitment to democracy requires courage, consistency and, above all, dedication to the Constitution. The light excuse cannot cover up the weight of his responsibility sober; the time for decisive action is up to us. We cannot let this moment slide past our fingers, sacrificing principles on the altar of political convenience.
Our democratic framework depends on the principle of checks and balances, but these systems will flourish only when the ruling people are in charge. Now is the time for Escudero to choose integrity over expedients, rejecting the charm of power and supporting truth and accountability. No individual, regardless of their position, exceeds the law.
The prolonged delay in opposing Duterte’s vice president’s improvisation process is not a trivial issue, it is an indicator of deeper systemic problems that threaten our rights and democracy. The driving force for change lies in the hands of active citizens. Grassroots movements, opinion pieces and social media movements will spark important dialogue and require necessary progress on this critical issue. Escudero and his senators must quickly fulfill their constitutional obligations; not doing so may illuminate public confidence in our institutions.
Senators must clearly acknowledge that people demand responsibility and a clear and firm adherence to the rule of law. The resilience of our democracy depends on their response. At this critical moment, we must unite and demand responsibility – because accountability is the foundation of democracy, which is always essential and will never be optional!
