Metro Manila, Philippines – Two rallies calling to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte are set for Friday, Jan. 31, but organizers appear to have contrasting agendas.
At 9 a.m., impeachment complainants from the first and third petitions will gather at the Epifanio delos Santos Ave. (EDSA) People Power Monument in Quezon City.
In an interview with NewsWatch Plus, former Sen. Sonny Trillanes from the Magdalo party-list, whose representatives signed on the first complaint, said their protest will focus on Duterte’s possible ouster from office.
Trillanes said around 10,000 people are expected to attend the morning rally.
Meanwhile, the group of former Finance Undersecretary Cielo Magno, composed of religious leaders and civil society organizations, will also mount a protest action at 2 p.m. at EDSA Shrine.
But unlike the earlier rally, the afternoon movement will raise other issues, including the controversial 2025 budget law – a subject of Trillanes’ objection.
“Iyong budget issue, kung ano man iyong issue, I understand legitimate iyan but it’s nowhere near the level nitong impeachment ni Sara,” he said.
[Translation: The budget issue, whatever the issue may be, I understand that it’s legitimate, but it’s nowhere near the level of Sara’s impeachment]
The former lawmaker earlier said Magno’s protest action would include “pro-Duterte retired generals.”
“Gusto ko pabulaanan iyong sinasabi na ito ay pinapangunahan ng retired generals dahil isa lamang po sila sa napakaraming organization,” the former finance official told NewsWatch Plus.
[Translation: I want to debunk the claim that this is being led by retired generals because they are just one of many organizations involved.]
Magno said holding the vice president accountable for her supposed misdeeds is not enough.
Kiko Dee, one of the signatories of the first impeachment complaint and grandson of democracy icons Ninoy and Cory Aquino, said while the morning rally centers on calls for ouster, other pressing issues are as important.
“It’s important for our side of the opposition to make sure that all of the abuses of both the current Marcos administration and of VP Sara and the previous Duterte administration are held to account as well,” he said.
NewsWatch Plus sought the comment of the Office of the Vice President on the protest actions.
As of Jan. 30, the impeachment complaints – all filed in December, have not yet reached the House justice committee.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier said ousting Duterte is a waste of time, saying it will not benefit any single Filipino.
