Hontiveros: Impeachment about accountability, not elections

Senator Risa Hontiveros underscored the constitutional purpose of impeachment as the House Committee on Justice began hearings on four complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte to determine their sufficiency in form and substance.

The proceedings, now advancing in the House of Representatives after earlier legal challenges, center on allegations of corruption, misuse of funds, constitutional violations and betrayal of public trust.

Hontiveros described impeachment as a mechanism for public accountability.

“At its heart paghihingi ng mamayan ng accountability sa lahat ng aming pinaka-mataas na elected officials, it should not be reduced to anything else not even elections,” she said.

She also acknowledged the responsibility attached to her role should the case reach the Senate.

“Ang walking on eggshells ko lamang ay to do my duty properly as a senator judge,” she added.

Her remarks reflect the balance lawmakers face between fulfilling constitutional obligations and navigating political pressures.

The House committee is expected to continue hearings in the coming days. If the complaints are found to have probable cause, the case may be transmitted to the Senate for trial as an impeachment court.

Duterte’s camp has previously criticized the proceedings as politically motivated, while some political parties have indicated they may withhold support absent compelling new evidence.