At viewing of VP's impeach trial, Bayan C. Visayas urges vigilance

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Members of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Central Visayas gathered at the University of the Philippines Cebu Arts and Sciences Hall on Monday, July 6, 2026 for a public viewing of the first day of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

The group organized the activity to encourage Cebuanos to closely monitor the proceedings and demand accountability from public officials.

Bayan Central Visayas Chairperson Jaime Paglinawan said the impeachment trial is a matter of interest to the taxpaying public who deserve to witness how the constitutional process unfolds.

READ: ‘Power belongs to the people’ – Luistro as Sara Duterte trial begins

“Interesado kaayo ang mga Cebuano isip mga magbubuwis nga mamonitor nato ang dagan sa impeachment trial sa atong Vice President. Para namo, long overdue na kining maong kaso. Ikaduhang higayon na kini nga na-impeach siya. Sa among tan-aw, bug-at kaayo ug adunay basihanan ang upat ka Articles of Impeachment,” Paglinawan said.

(Cebuanos, as taxpayers, are very interested in monitoring the impeachment trial of our Vice President. For us, this case is long overdue. This is already the second time she has been impeached, and we believe the four Articles of Impeachment are serious and supported by sufficient grounds.)

Accountability above all

He said the organization also hopes the public will actively follow the proceedings and help ensure that accountability prevails regardless of the trial’s outcome.

READ: Senate impeachment court denies Luistro’s motion to arraign VP Sara

“Kinahanglan gyud nga naay pressure gikan sa katawhan nga nangayo og accountability kay kung pasagdan lang nato ang mga senador isip judges niini nga impeachment trial, delikado kini. Kabalo mi nga daghan ang alyado sa Vice President ug kinahanglan pa gyud og 16 ka boto aron ma-convict siya.”

(There must be sustained pressure from the people demanding accountability because if we leave everything to the senators serving as judges in this impeachment trial, it could be risky. We know the Vice President has many allies in the Senate, and it takes at least 16 votes to secure a conviction.)

Disappointing absence

Paglinawan also expressed disappointment over Duterte’s absence during the opening day of the impeachment trial, saying her appearance before the impeachment court would have shown respect for the process.

“Parehas sa iyang gibuhat sa previous hearings, iya lang gisalig sa iyang abogado. Para nato, usa usab kini ka insulto sa mga ordinaryong magbubuwis. Kung sa ordinaryong korte, ang gikiha kinahanglan gyud motambong, unsa pa kaha kini nga impeachment trial?”

(Just as she did during previous hearings, she left the proceedings to her lawyer. For us, this is also an insult to ordinary taxpayers. If in an ordinary court, an accused person is expected to appear, how much more in an impeachment trial?)

He added that he hopes the impeachment court will require Duterte to personally attend the succeeding hearings.

“Dapat unta sa sunod nga mga hearing pugson sa impeachment court nga motambong gyud ang atong Vice President isip siya man ang gi-file-an og kaso sa Senado ug sa impeachment trial court.”

(The impeachment court should require the Vice President to personally attend the succeeding hearings since she is the one facing the impeachment case before the Senate.)

Demand for truth

Meanwhile, Makabayan Bloc Central Visayas Chairperson John Ruiz said the group hopes political divisions will not overshadow the impeachment trial but that it will uncover the truth behind the allegations against the Vice President.

“Hinaot unta nga dili kini makaapekto sa dagan sa impeachment. Hinaot nga ang impeachment mao kini ang mag-abli sa tinuoray nga imbestigasyon sa grabe nga korapsyon sa atong gobyerno… Hinaot pinaagi sa kanunayng pagbantay ug pagsubaybay sa katawhan, mogawas ang kamatuoran, accountability, ug pagpanubag sa mga nangurakot ug nangawkaw sa kuwarta sa katawhan.”

(We hope political divisions will not affect the impeachment process. Instead, we hope the impeachment trial will open the door to a genuine investigation into the serious corruption in our government. Through the continued vigilance and participation of the Filipino people, we hope the truth will come out and that those who have stolen or misused public funds will be held accountable.)

Up ahead: Sona mobilization

Looking ahead, Paglinawan said Bayan Central Visayas will continue its campaign for accountability through upcoming mobilizations, including activities during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona) later this month.

He said the group plans to raise broader issues of corruption beyond the impeachment case, including alleged irregularities in flood control projects and other concerns under the Marcos administration.

“Aduna pay mga umaabot nga kalihokan gawas sa live viewing. Magpaabot ta sa mas dako nga mobilisasyon sa umaabot nga State of the Nation Address karong bulana ni President Marcos. Usa sa among ipadayag mao ang isyu sa korapsyon, dili lang sa impeachment court apan apil usab ang mga alegasyon sa korapsyon ilawom sa administrasyon ni Marcos na flood control projects.”

(Aside from this live viewing, we have more activities lined up. People can expect a larger mobilization during President Marcos’ upcoming State of the Nation Address later this month. We will continue raising issues of corruption—not only those linked to the impeachment proceedings but also the alleged corruption of flood control projects under the Marcos administration.)

The public viewing concluded with a symbolic action led by members of progressive organizations, who reiterated their calls for truth, accountability, and justice as the impeachment proceedings continue.

READ: Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial: Everything you need to know

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