Tingog Partylist Rep. Jude Acidre expressed that the most important issue that would be explored concerning the upcoming impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte would be the question of her conduct related to her verbal threats.

Acidre mentioned that Duterte should be held to a high standard when it comes to her actions, particularly since students at schools were expected to act with a certain level of ethics.

“If students are being held accountable for their every word and actions, it is even more important to seek accountability. The higher the responsibility, the higher the liability,” he explained.

The lawmaker’s sentiments stem from his chairmanship of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education, expressing that such an issue had an impact on younger generations given the Vice President’s position as a public leader.

Acidre said that it was questionable that children in schools are taught lessons such as discipline and accountability, but public officials are seemingly exempt from such regards.

He further maintained that the impeachment court was not necessarily set to resolve a matter of freedom of speech, rather it was tasked with determining whether Duterte had violated constitutional standards.

“We are not talking about an ordinary citizen. We are talking about a person that can become a president any time. We can not use ordinary standards when it comes to her,” he said.

In addition to his sentiments, the solon mentioned that the Senate was provided with the exclusive power to resolve the case, stressing that platforms such as social media should not sway the senators from deciding based on evidence.

With the impeachment set to proceed as previously scheduled, Acidre called on the public to become more involved in the impeachment so that the people could be properly informed related to the proceedings.

“On July 6, opinions won’t do the talking. It is the evidence that will speak. As a citizen, it is our responsibility to listen to it with open minds and with respect to the process of the Constitution,” he said.