Ex-lawmaker says Duterte impeachment ‘already politically decided’

National

FORMER presidential adviser Jacinto “Jing” Paras alleged that the House of Representatives voting on the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte was already politically decided.

Although he stressed that the final determination of accountability would still depend on the Senate impeachment trial.

Interviewed by reporters in Cebu City on Sunday, May 10, Paras said the House vote may no longer change, but maintained that the more critical stage would begin once the case reaches the Senate sitting as an impeachment court.

“That is likely a foregone conclusion, but that does not mean she is already defeated because the determination of accountability is the conviction. But if they fail to prove her alleged offenses, the allegations against her—it is game over,” Paras said.

He also raised the possibility of legal and procedural objections once the Articles of Impeachment are transmitted, noting that senators could question the process before the trial proper begins.

“They do not realize that we are under a democratic government and that the Senate will decide based on majority rule. Pareha karon, inig present nila sa articles of impeachment, syempre naay mo-oppose ana on the technicality, on the issue that there is an illegality that transpired in the committee on justice,” he added.

Paras flew in for a pro-Duterte gathering in Carcar City organized by groups including the Duterte Riders Team Philippines, Sara Philippines, and allied organizations under Kampilan ng Mamamayan.

He clarified that he did not join the separate Reform Alliance for Accountability, Good Governance and Ethics (Rage) coalition launch in Cebu City, saying the groups share similar goals but operate independently.

Meanwhile, Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte gathered supporters in Cebu over the weekend as political tensions intensified ahead of the House plenary vote on the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.

At Casino Español de Cebu on Sunday, hundreds of supporters attended the launching of the Rage coalition here.

Among those present were former Cebu Third District Rep. Pablo John Garcia and Cebu City North District Rep. Rachel Marguerite del Mar.

Duterte's visit came a day before the House of Representatives, composed of 318 members including 13 Cebu lawmakers, was expected to vote on a new impeachment complaint.

At least 106 affirmative votes are needed for the Articles of Impeachment to be transmitted to the Senate for trial.(MyTVCebu)