The planned mass action on Monday by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), purportedly in support of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call to halt any efforts to oust Vice President Sara Duterte, is nothing but a clear attempt to shield the latter from accountability over corruption allegations concerning the so-called questionable use of her P612.5 million in confidential funds, a House leader said Sunday.
The assembly dubbed the “National Rally for Peace” is expected to dominate some parts of Metro Manila, particularly the Quirino Grandstand, Manila, prompting road closure and the suspension of classes at all levels and government work in the city, Pasay, and Quezon City.
Although some members of the INC have made it clear that the mobilization is solely intended to promote “peace and unity” within the government, contrary to claims that it aims to block the growing clamor to impeach the VP, House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro asserted that it's a “calculated move to protect Duterte from answering serious allegations about her misuse of confidential funds.”
“No rally can erase the fact that government officials must be held accountable for their actions. The million Filipinos who support impeachment are asking for justice and accountability, not political theatrics. There is no real peace without justice," insisted the ACT Teachers solon, one of the endorses of the impeachment complaints against Duterte.
Sought for comment, Sagip Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, an INC member and a renowned Duterte ally, told the Daily Tribune that Castro “has no right and personality to pass judgment” on the INC’s rally regardless of whether what goals it seeks to achieve.
“The INC has nothing to gain in cuddling anyone, VP Sara included. If indeed the Office of the Vice President has something to account for as alleged, the Makabayan bloc should have gotten to the courts of law like what they always do,” he said in a message.
“The lady wasted their time investigating the VP under the guise of ‘inquiry in aid of legislation’ — a process which was abused to the hilt, in complete disregard of the requisites of due process of law,” Marcoleta added.
The seasoned lawmaker had affirmed that the INC would not take sides and that the objective of the movement was to end the political turmoil between the former allies, Marcos and Duterte.
The Marcos-Duterte bitter rift has made headlines since mid-last year after the latter stepped down as secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd).
Recently, Marcos removed Duterte and her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, along with other former presidents, from the National Security Council (NSC), further stirring speculations of a fallout.
The emission came just more than a month after Duterte publicly announced that she had already instructed someone to assassinate Marcos, First Lady Liza Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez if the supposed plot against her succeeded amid what she called the continuing political attacks against her by the administration allies.
The death threat, in addition to the alleged irregularities in the use of her confidential funds, has resulted in the filing of three impeachment complaints against Duterte, with another petition expected to come this week, reportedly from congressmen from the majority bloc.
The three current petitions were all endorsed by lawmakers from the minority coalition, including the Makabayan bloc.
House Secretary General Reginald Velasco on Friday announced that all the complaints are verified and are ready to be transmitted to Romualdez’s office “anytime.”
Once Romualdez receives the impeachment complaints, the document shall be included in the order of business within ten session days from receipt. Afterward, the complaint should then be referred within three session days to the House Committee on Justice, which shall then determine whether the complaint is sufficient in form and substance.
Within 60 session days, the panel shall submit its report to the plenary. The House then has 10 session days to calendar it for resolution.
However, based on the House calendar, Congress will only have nine session days when it reconvenes on 13, Monday, after a month-long holiday break. By 7 February, Congress will adjourn again for the election campaign.
The petitioners from multi-sectors want Duterte impeached for culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust — all grounds for impeachment except for treason.
While the VP has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, she remains unfazed, viewing the impending trial as an opportunity to “exclusively” address the corruption allegations leveled against her.