“‘IT IS OBVIOUSLY politically motivated… Why single out the VP? They want justice but their justice is selective.” These were lines spouted by AI generated characters in a video I happened upon, in response to whether they were in favor of the impeachment of vice president Sarah Duterte. 

Now despite the obvious irony behind the intent of the video, itself reeking of a political bias to twist the narrative, the questions posed in the video reopens the gates to a conversation on a long-standing accountability deficit in Philippine governance, which at present ceases to desist. 

A quick search online of the keywords “graft and corruption in the Philippines” would open up an unspectacular chest of recent articles spanning different officials in government, but why push the VP to the forefront of the topic at hand? 

“A two-pronged path unfolds from the recesses of current events, one towards the continued proliferation of a culture of impunity and the widening of apparent accountability deficits within the country. But a better one which begins with the toppling of dominos, that we as a people have the strength to choose courage over silence, to unsheath justice’s sword against the ghouls which haunt the chambers of genuine democracy.”

Of the multitude of reasons behind the importance of shining the spotlight on the VP, two factors come to mind to anchor the imperativeness of the present impeachment case: (1) betrayal of public trust; and (2) setting a precedent. 

First, given the current position of Sara Duterte as vice president, it is without question that the presence of a grave abuse of power should not be left unchecked. From the misuse and malversation of funds amounting to the hundreds of millions in her current office, to the approximately Php2 billion amassed unexplained wealth during her tenure as Vice Mayor of Davao City. 

These are no small numbers, so much so that it appears as if a toddler mashed on the number pad of a keyboard. And just as a toddler can decipher right from wrong, such malversation of funds for personal gain makes a mockery of public service when placed against the backdrop of a country in need of funds in more significant sectors of society, such as education, agriculture, health, etc. 

The VP has not only revealed herself to be unfit for a role to lead the people (especially when it comes to handling funds), but outrightly disregards the welfare of a people to whom she is expected to serve. 

Now with regard to setting a precedent, how can we expect that justice be served in a wider spectrum, if such blatant corruption from no other than the second highest official herself be left unaccounted for? 

A two-pronged path unfolds from the recesses of current events, one towards the continued proliferation of a culture of impunity and the widening of apparent accountability deficits within the country. 

But a better one which begins with the toppling of dominos, that we as a people have the strength to choose courage over silence, to unsheath justice’s sword against the ghouls which haunt the chambers of genuine democracy. 

The impeachment case of Sara Duterte goes beyond any argument on political motivation, or any squandering between cursed surnames. It is a matter which touches upon the future of a people who deserve better than it is currently offered. A people who, through collective action, have historically marched against injustices in seats of power. 

All in all, maybe once we were to take the path in which we emerge victorious, future precedent may carry us towards more roads of accountability, and the words which ended that one AI video, that, “If these politicians are really serious in cleaning up the government, then investigate all, at isama na nila ang sarili nila”, would somewhat hold a semblance of meaning.