Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Representative Leila de Lima has criticized proposals to postpone the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, citing survey results showing that 69% of Filipinos support moving forward with the case.
In a social media post on Wednesday, April 15, de Lima rejected arguments that the trial should be delayed due to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, describing such claims as a diversion from accountability.
“[T]igil-tigilan na nila yung script na huwag raw ituloy ang impeachment dahil may krisis, na halata namang panlihis lang nila sa isyu para makatakas na naman sa pananagutan,” de Lima said.
She stressed that governance requires the ability to address multiple issues simultaneously, emphasizing that accountability should not be sidelined during times of crisis.
“Dapat at kayang pagsabayin ang paghahanap ng solusyon sa krisis at pagpapanagot sa mga lumustay sa kaban ng bayan na nagkakait ng nararapat na serbisyo para sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na sa panahon ng pangangailangan,” she added.
To date, four impeachment complaints have been filed against Duterte, with two already declared “sufficient in form and substance” by the House Committee on Justice.