Following the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, civil society advocates stressed that the trial should not be reduced to a mere clash between political factions, highlighting the need to pursue accountability amid allegations of corruption and betrayal of public trust. 

Under the newly formed Senate impeachment court, Duterte is currently facing four Articles of Impeachment, ranging from alleged misuse of ₱612.5 million in confidential funds, discrepancies in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), alleged irregularities involving cash envelopes distributed to Department of Education officials, and alleged grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez. 

Kabataan Partylist Representative Atty. Renee Co highlighted that the impeachment trial must be understood primarily as a constitutional process that allows the public to examine evidence against suspected high-ranking government officials. 

“Kailangan siyang ipaglaban dahil may hawak tayong ebidensya against kay VP Sara, at sa dulo nito, husgahan natin: may pagkakasala nga ba? Dapat nga ba siyang tanggalin sa position?” Co said. 

Meanwhile, IBON Foundation Executive Director Jose Enrique “Sonny” Africa underscored its importance in shattering the infallibility of corrupt politicians in power because it proves they can be held accountable for corruption.

“Why should we care about the impeachment? Because it is holding a corrupt politician accountable. We can’t trust corrupt officials to care about the people… Because they don’t care about that as long as nasa pwesto sila kaya di nakakagulat na di umuunlad ang Pilipinas.”

He urged the public not to allow themselves to be dragged into the conflict between the Marcos and Duterte camps, which distracts them from issues affecting their daily lives, including unemployment, inflation, industrial development, and the need for Filipinos to seek work abroad. 

“Hindi nila pinagtatalunan kung ano ang dapat gawin para palakasin ang industriya ng Pilipinas, para dumami ang trabaho sa bansa, o para hindi na kailangang mangibang-bansa ang mga Pilipino. Ang pinag-aawayan nila ay yung poder lamang nila,” he said. 

Moreover, Africa noted that political dynasties are not the sole source of corruption and that the corporations and wealthy interests behind political families must likewise be confronted.

“Issue talaga ang political dynasties sa political system, sila ang pinaka-ahente ng corruption dahil sila ang nagdo-dominate ng political system… Pero wag kakalimutan, hindi lang dinastiya ang problema, yung mga nasa likod ng dinastiya ang problema din,” he said.

With this, Co emphasized the importance of the public’s role as watchdogs of the impeachment, ensuring that the trial remains on track and within the bounds of the law. 

“Tuloy-tuloy din sana ang pagbaybay ng publiko. Regardless of length, tuloy-tuloy tayo sa pagsubaybay dahil tayo ang instrumento dito,” she said. 

Amid political upheavals and unrest, she encouraged the youth to study current events and engage with the lived experiences of different sectors, rather than remain observers when direct civic action is required.

“Hindi po sapat na alam lang ng kabataan ang nangyayari. Hindi lamang pagkatapos ng social media status, tapos na. Kabataan, makapangyarihan ka, pero hindi ka makapangyarihan kung mag-isa ka lang,” Co said.

The “Pamumulitika Lang Ba?” forum, organized by the STOP Corruption Alliance, was held last July 9 at The Big House in Juna Subdivision, Davao City.