Makabayan bets are clear: If we win, we’ll vote to convict

MANILA, Philippines — Senatorial candidates under the Makabayan ticket vowed to push for the conviction of Vice President Sara Duterte should they win a seat in the chamber that is expected to convene as an impeachment court.

According to former Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño, the new set of senators should be able to hold those in power accountable.

He also denounced the call made by the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) last week for voters to choose the Vice President’s allies for the Senate since impeachment is “a numbers game.”

“Public office should never be a shield against accountability. Institutions like the Senate exist not just to legislate but also to ensure checks and balances among different branches of the government,” Casiño said in a statement.

“Voters should think twice before considering any of the Duterte lackeys,” he said, adding the PDP-Laban’s message showed the “true colors and agenda” of the Vice President’s faction.

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Don’t drag issue

Another Makabayan candidate, Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) party list Rep. France Castro, wants the impeachment trial to begin as soon as possible.

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Asked if she agrees with Senate President Francis Escudero’s pronouncement to hold the trial after the President’s next State of the Nation Address on July 28, Castro said “it would just drag the issue further.”

“We want it to happen now because that is in the Constitution. We hope impeachment process happens immediately,” she told the Inquirer.

Nontraditional

The 11 Makabayan candidates opened the campaign period on Tuesday by going door-to-door in residential areas or making stops in public markets and campuses.

“Right now, we want to make it clear that our campaign is different from the traditional campaign that depends on billion-peso funds and government power,” they said in a joint statement.

“Platform, not gimmick,” they said.

Completing the Makabayan ticket are activist nurse Jocelyn Andamo, union organizer Jerome Adonis, fisherfolk leader Ronnel Arambulo, transport sector leader Mody Floranda, Gabriela party list Rep. Arlene Brosas, urban poor leader Mimi Doringo, former Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza, Moro leader Amirah Lidasan, and peasant sector leader Danilo Ramos.