Today, almost everyone has jumped on the bandwagon calling for the swift impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte. From lawmakers to mainstream media, from civil society groups to religious institutions — the chorus is loud, unified, and insistent: convene the Senate as an impeachment tribunal now.
But as the noise surrounding this high-profile political showdown escalates, one cannot help but ask: Where were these same voices when the 2025 national budget was shrouded in questions and anomalies? Where were the calls for swift justice and accountability when the Supreme Court kept delaying oral arguments on matters of national significance? When PhilHealth received zero budget allocation — practically condemning millions of Filipinos to the mercy of private healthcare — why was there no outrage?
When the so-called “ayuda” (social aid) was used as a political weapon instead of a lifeline for the poor, no one took to the streets. When crime rates surged in the shadows of urban and rural areas alike, the silence was deafening. When the national debt ballooned, and the government kept borrowing with little to no transparency on where these billions were going, the so-called guardians of democracy were nowhere to be found.
Why?
Is it truly a fight for good governance and justice, or is this simply a continuation of a long-standing vendetta to erase the Duterte legacy from Philippine politics?
Let me be clear: I am not defending wrongdoing. If the Vice President has truly committed impeachable offenses, then by all means, let the law take its course. The process must be respected, and the truth must prevail. But to selectively uphold justice only when it is politically convenient is a dangerous hypocrisy — one that insults the intelligence of every Filipino citizen.
Filipinos deserve better than a circus where accountability is only demanded from political adversaries. Real change and reform mean confronting all forms of abuse and misgovernance, regardless of who is in power. And yes, that includes holding the current administration accountable too.
The danger here is not just in the impeachment itself, but in how it is being used — potentially — to distract us from bigger, more pressing national issues. The crumbling healthcare system, the untraceable trillions in loans, the militarization of civilian programs, the apparent decay of democratic institutions — these deserve the same outrage and urgency, if not more.
Ask the Filipino people: Are they more concerned about who occupies the vice presidency, or about how their families will survive amid rising prices, job insecurity, and crumbling public services?
We must not allow ourselves to be manipulated into choosing selective justice over comprehensive accountability. We must demand truth, transparency, and integrity — not just from Sara Duterte, but from everyone who holds power in this country.
This is not about being pro- or anti-Duterte. This is about being pro-Filipino.
Let us not be blinded by political spectacles. Let us keep our eyes on the bigger picture — and the people who are suffering in silence.