Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco has voiced his support for Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment, describing the Senate trial as her last chance to address serious allegations.
During a recent House session, Tiangco acknowledged the difficult nature of his vote, citing the House of Representatives' lack of "moral authority" due to ongoing corruption issues within its ranks.
Voting yes is not a vote to judge. This is the only step left to give Duterte a formal and proper venue for her to explain issues involving her SALN.
Toby Tiangco
The impeachment follows allegations that Duterte failed to fully disclose her assets in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) and faced critical reports from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).
Tiangco expressed concerns about the evidence gathering process but emphasized that the SALN issue must be clarified in the Senate.
He noted that since Duterte's camp opted not to attend the House proceedings, the Senate trial represents a crucial opportunity for her to defend herself.
The House voted overwhelmingly with 257 members in favor of impeachment, while only 26 opposed it and nine abstained. This exceeded the one-third threshold needed for the impeachment process.
Impeachment Grounds
The allegations in the impeachment articles include graft and corruption, violations of the Constitution, and betrayal of public trust, particularly regarding the misuse of substantial funds.
Senators are preparing to convene as an impeachment court, with expectations that proceedings may begin shortly after the articles are transmitted from the House.
In the middle of doubts on the credibility of the process we went through, does the Vice President still have to be held accountable? Yes.
Elijah San Fernando
The political landscape surrounding the impeachment is contentious, with some lawmakers suggesting that their motivations may be linked to fears of repercussions under a potential Sara Duterte presidency.