Senator Alan Peter Cayetano said that impeaching a vice president is less disruptive than impeaching a president. He noted that the process can move forward without triggering intense political conflict.
“Kapag presidente ang pinag-uusapan… every single day he or she stays na hindi natatanggal, that’s damage to the country,” Cayetano told reporters on June 3.
He explained that removing a president is a heavier process due to the potential for national unrest. Impeaching a vice president, on one hand, carries less political weight and allows for accountability without disrupting the country.
“Kasi ang vice president, pwede mong kasuhan sa piskalya. Pwede mong kasuhan sa Ombudsman. So there are other ways to hold them accountable na walang pulitika,” according to him.
The 1987 Constitution allows impeachment of both the president and vice president for serious offenses like betrayal of public trust, graft, or high crimes. However, the Department of Justice clarified that the vice president, while an impeachable official, is “not immune from suit” and that “only the President is immune from suit.”
Cayetano reminded the public that the Senate has a constitutional duty in handling any impeachment trial involving Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Walang choice ang Senado. We have to carry out our constitutional duty. Hindi mo pwedeng pagbotohan kung ano’ng dapat gawin sa Constitution. Nakalagay sa Constitution, malinaw e. May trial,” he said.IMT
