32M votes no license to commit impeachable offenses – Castro

Metro Manila, Philippines – Palace press officer Claire Castro rejected the argument that Vice President Sara Duterte’s more than 32 million votes should weigh against her impeachment, saying a strong electoral mandate does not shield any public official from accountability.

Castro responded to the defense panel’s opening argument that the impeachment trial seeks to overturn the will of more than 32 million voters who elected Duterte in 2022.

She said accepting that reasoning would effectively place elected officials above the Constitution.

“Kung iyon ang susundan natin na reason o argumento, ibig mong sabihin kahit na 100 percent ng mga Pilipino ang boboto sa isang public servant, pwede na siyang gumawa ng mga impeachable offenses dahil malaki naman iyong boto niya,” Castro said on Wednesday, July 8. 

[Translation: If we follow that argument, it would mean that even if 100% of Filipinos voted for a public official, that person could commit impeachable offenses simply because they received a huge mandate.]

Castro said the Constitution provides impeachment precisely to hold high-ranking officials accountable for alleged abuses of power.

“Hindi po usapan ito ng numero ng mga bumoto; ang usapan po dito ay accountability, transparency at, of course, sinasabi natin, dapat kung liable ka, managot ka,” she said.

[Translation: This is not about the number of people who voted for someone. This is about accountability, transparency and, of course, if you are liable, you should be held accountable.]

She added that impeachment exists because it is the constitutional mechanism for removing public officials accused of committing impeachable offenses.

“Hindi po ito tamang argumento kaya nga po mayroon tayong provision sa Constitution ng impeachment dahil ito lamang po ang paraan na maaaring makapagpatalsik sa isang public servant na umabuso ng kapangyarihan at nagsagawa ng mga impeachable offenses,” Castro said.

[Translation: That is not a valid argument. The Constitution provides for impeachment because it is the only way a public official who abused power and committed impeachable offenses may be removed from office.]

Lead defense counsel Sheila Sison said on Monday that Duterte was elected by more than 32 million voters and the impeachment process seeks to overturn the will of the people.