1Sambayan: Duterte impeach raps a ‘moral and constitutional imperative’

MANILA, Philippines — Political coalition 1Sambayan on Wednesday stressed that the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte is a “moral and constitutional imperative” not political harassment.

1Sambayan made the pronouncement after expressing “full support” over the impeachment proceedings.

“This is not a political harassment or strategy – it is a moral and constitutional imperative well documented and based on undisputed facts,” said 1Sambayan.

READ: Articles of impeachment vs Sara Duterte reach House plenary

“When the second-highest official of the land stands accused of offenses that strike at the very heart of our Republic, silence is complicity,” it added.

The coalition then underscored that the evidence against Duterte was “overwhelming, shocking and undeniable,” specifically her alleged misuse of P612 million in confidential funds; the P125 million spent in under 24 hours; public threats; receipts and documents bearing names of persons who do not even exist; as well as statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth declarations which show zero cash deposits while official records flag P6.77 billion in transactions.

According to 1Sambayan, these evidence are mere administrative lapses but acts of betrayal of public trust, culpable violations of the Constitution, and clear misdeeds warranting removal from office.

“To allow someone accused of such grave offenses to remain in power is to tell every Filipino that corruption pays, that accountability is optional, and that the law does not apply to the rich and powerful,” the coalition said.

“It tells the youth that public service is just a means for self-enrichment. It tells the poor that their taxes can be stolen with impunity,” it added.

With this, 1Sambayan called on the public to stand firm in supporting the proceedings, to ensure that no one is above the law. /cb