Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua defended the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, pushing back against remarks from Zamboanga City Mayor Khymer Olaso who described the process as “kalokohan.”
Chua emphasized that the House of Representatives of the Philippines is constitutionally mandated to act on impeachment complaints, stressing that lawmakers cannot simply ignore such filings.
“Hindi naman ito huntahan sa plaza, o sagutan ng mga tsismoso sa kanto. This is an impeachment proceeding. If Mayor Olaso wants to attack the process, then he should do so with law, with reason and with facts, not with language that cheapens the discussion and insults the public’s intelligence,” Chua said.
He warned that dismissive statements like Olaso’s undermine a critical constitutional mechanism designed to ensure accountability among public officials.
“The House Committee on Justice is not acting on a whim, and it is certainly not acting for amusement. We are carrying out a constitutional mandate. No mayor, no former lawmaker, and no partisan voice can wish that duty away just because the process makes them uncomfortable,” he added.
Chua also noted that as a former legislator, Olaso should have a deeper understanding of the constitutional process.
“Kung dating mambabatas ka, mas dapat alam mo na hindi puwedeng bastusin ang proseso kapag Saligang Batas na ang pinag-uusapan. Hindi ito kalokohan. Ang kalokohan ay iyong minamaliit mo ang tungkulin ng Kongreso para lang makapuntos ka sa pulitika,” he said.
The lawmaker further criticized the tone of Olaso’s remarks, stressing the need for discipline among public officials when addressing serious national issues.
“Public office demands discipline in language, especially when the subject is impeachment. What Mayor Olaso offered was not serious criticism. Parang show lang ito eh, showbiz talk show. And the Filipino people deserve better than officials who confuse mockery with argument,” Chua remarked.
Olaso had earlier called on the House to pause impeachment proceedings and prioritize economic concerns.
In response, Chua maintained that continuing the process is the appropriate course of action.
“We will stay focused on the evidence, on due process, and on the constitutional task before us. The House justice panel will not be thrown off course by cheap shots from the gallery. What will matter in the end is the record, the law, and the truth,” he said.
“Nakapagpapansin naman na si Mayor Olaso kaya sana naintindihan na niya ang constitutional mandate ng House members ngayon kaya dinidinig natin ang impeachment,” he added.