Makabayan urges Marcos to call special session

Opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives have urged President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to call a special session of Congress to allow the Senate to convene as an impeachment court for the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

The call came from Makabayan bloc lawmakers: France Castro (ACT Teachers party-list), Arlene Brosas (Gabriela party-list), and Raoul Manuel (Kabataan party-list).

"We, the Makabayan bloc representatives, strongly urge President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to immediately call for a special session of Congress to enable the Senate to convene as an impeachment court for Vice President Sara Duterte's trial," they said in a statement.

They stressed that the public demanded accountability, urging the President to act without waiting for formal requests from Senate President Francis Escudero or House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

"Kung talagang bukas ang Pangulo sa special session, dapat ay tahasang gawin na niya ito. Hindi na dapat maghintay pa ng kahilingan mula sa Senate President o House Speaker," they added.

(If the President is truly open to a special session, he should act on it now. There’s no need to wait for a request from the Senate President or House Speaker.)

Legal maneuvers, delays

The lawmakers argued that Duterte and her allies’ petition before the Supreme Court (SC) to nullify the impeachment complaint makes the President’s intervention even more crucial.

"The legal maneuvers being employed by the Duterte camp to delay and derail the impeachment process make this call even more urgent. We cannot allow narrow political interests and electoral considerations to obstruct justice and constitutional processes," they said.

They also criticized the delay in the trial, warning that it undermines justice.

"Nakakabahala ang patuloy na pagpapaliban sa impeachment trial. Ang bawat araw na dumadaan ay isang araw na pinapatagal ang hustisya para sa mamamayan," they added.

(Every day that passes prolongs the people’s wait for justice. The impeachment process cannot be held hostage by politicians with narrow interests.)

The Makabayan lawmakers also emphasized that pushing forward with the Vice President’s impeachment trial would honor the 39th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.

"As we commemorate EDSA People Power's 39th anniversary, we are reminded that the fight against corruption and abuse of power remains an ongoing struggle. The current political system's inability to expeditiously handle this impeachment case proves that the people's collective action is necessary if we are to fully realize democracy in our country," they stated.

They urged the Filipino people to assert their collective power to ensure justice prevails over political accommodations.

"The time for decisive action is now," they concluded.

The House of Representatives impeached Duterte on February 5, with over 200 lawmakers endorsing the complaint. 

The Articles of Impeachment were transmitted to the Senate the same day, but the upper chamber adjourned without addressing the case.

Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero has since stated that the Senate cannot proceed with the impeachment trial unless President Marcos calls a special session. — DVM, GMA Integrated News