De Lima: No healing without closure in Sara Duterte impeachment

MANILA, Philippines — National healing cannot be achieved without bringing closure to the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, as the case centers on accountability and the impeached official’s fitness to remain in office, Rep. Leila de Lima said in a statement on Sunday.

“There can be no healing without closure. So this is about accountability,” De Lima said.

De Lima, one of the House prosecutors, said the impeachment process must determine whether VP Duterte should remain in office after being accused of violating the Constitution and betraying public trust.

READ: Impeachment court pushes to speed up Sara Duterte trial — Lacson

“So we need to examine whether an impeached official is still fit to keep her post after violating the Constitution and abusing the trust of the people. So, no healing without closure,” she stressed in Filipino.

The Senate impeachment trial started on July 6, with Duterte facing allegations involving confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery and corruption, and threats on the life of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

READ: Sara Duterte’s ‘kill’ remarks show capability, not just threat — Adiong

For his part, Rep. Chel Diokno, another House prosecutor, remarked on public expectation about the impeachment trial, saying: “In my view, what the Filipino people are looking for is correct and proper governance. What we need is what we call a transformational leader — one who knows the problems of ordinary citizens, who knows what ails our society, and one who will do everything to put in order the lives of every Filipino.

“In my view, that’s what we’re really looking for, and that’s why we have an impeachment process — because what we’re really looking for is a leader who has a heart for us. If he’s not sincere in his service, of course, he will prioritize his self-interest. But that has no [positive] effect on us all,” he added.

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