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Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday supported the call for the “independence” of institutions initially made by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano following the arrest of Senator Jinggoy Estrada for a plunder charge.
“I have always believed that the independence of our institutions must be protected. This includes not only the Senate and the House of Representatives as institution, but every Senator and member of the house,” Duterte said in a video statement.
She said members of both chambers must be free to perform their duties without “threats, pressure or any form of intimidation.”
On Monday, the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division issued an arrest warrant against Estrada and several others over a P573 million plunder and graft charge filed by the Office of the Ombudsman.
Estrada was arrested at the Senate premises by police led by Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.
After Estrada’s arrest, Cayetano asked the Senate minority bloc to join the majority in letting the upper chamber fall silent, adding that their independence is being challenged.
“I am speaking truth that each senator already knows – the independence of this institution, and the legal standing of any of its members, are not currencies. The day they become things to be traded, is the day that the Senate is diminished. And after the Senate, the Republic,” Cayetano said.
“So I put one question to you, not as the majority but as the chamber: will you stand for the Senate’s independence? I am asking you to join one deliberate act – to let the Senate go quiet, together and by choice, so the country is made to ask why a co-equal branch would fall silent rather than be made to serve,” he added.
In her video statement, the Vice President also alleged that power and public funds are being used to “eliminate opposition.”
“Sa halip na tutukan ang mga tunay na suliraning kinakaharap ng ating mga kababayan, ginagamit ang kapangyarihan upang patahimikin ang mga boses ng mga hindi sumasang-ayon,” Duterte said.
“Good governance does not require the elimination of opposition. Democracy works best when there is a healthy opposition that is free to question,” she added.
Duterte then said the nation is faced with “three disturbing realities.”
“First, the effort to divert attention from legitimate questions surrounding the flood control controversy; second, the willingness to disregard constitutional safeguards in pursuit of a politically motivated impeachment; and third, the relentless pursuit of greater political power under the guise of Charter Change.”
On Monday, the Senate minority bloc rejected the narrative that Estrada’s arrest is an attack on the Senate, and said it is an answer to the rule of law.
“Today was a step toward accountability in a controversy that the public has long demanded action on, and after years of people asking why nothing was happening in flood control investigations, it is unacceptable to suddenly call the rule of law an attack on the Senate,” the Solid Bloc 11 said in a statement.
However, Duterte said the recent “attacks on opposing voices” reflect insecurity and a move towards “protecting power rather than serving the people.”
“Democracy is not weakened by dissent. Democracy is weakened when those in power become afraid of it,” she added.
In a message to reporters, Malacañang said Duterte’s statement is alarming.
“Nakakaalarma ang mensahe ng Bise Presidente dahil nililinis na niya ang mga sangkot sa korapsyon… Dahil ba sa kaalyado niya ang mga ito? Pinapalabas niya na mga biktima lamang silang lahat ng political persecution,” Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said.
(The message of the Vice President alarming because she is already clearing those involved in corruption… Is this because they are her allies? She is making it appear that they are all victims of political persecution.)
“Naghahanap ang mga kababayan natin ng mga dapat na managot na tinatawag nilang mga BIG FISH. Kaalyado man o hindi… Kung nasasangkot dapat na maimbestigahan, ‘yan ang nagaganap sa ngayon,” she added.
(Our countrymen are looking for big fish to be held accountable. Ally or not… Anyone involved should be investigated, and that is what is happening now.) — JMA, GMA News