Senator-judge Alan Peter Cayetano said the Senate should pursue its investigation into alleged flood control anomalies with the same urgency as the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, arguing that accountability must extend beyond a single public official.
Speaking to reporters after the first day of the impeachment trial proceedings, Cayetano said the impeachment case should not be the public’s only measure of accountability in government.
“People should demand better government.”
“People should demand better government. People should demand total accountability. We’re here, we’re present, we’re going to hold the Vice President accountable. But let’s also hold accountable lahat ng involved sa flood control [controversy],” the veteran legislator said.
The seasoned lawmaker also questioned the lack of progress in the proposed Blue Ribbon Committee inquiry into alleged irregularities in flood control projects.
“Kung ma-schedule natin ng 30 weeks na tuloy-tuloy y’ung trial, bakit hindi ma-schedule ‘yung [pagtalakay ng] flood control sa Blue Ribbon Committee at ilabas kung sino ‘yung mga talagang witnesses?” the senator said.
He also urged Filipinos to closely follow the impeachment proceedings and understand the issues through objective explanations rather than partisan politics.
“Tiyagain niyo lang po, day by day. Hopefully ‘yung mga [law school] dean [at] ‘yung mga legal experts [ay] ma-explain nila [ang impeachment trial] in a non-partisan way,” Cayetano said.
He said lawmakers must continue legislating and conducting oversight even as the impeachment trial proceeds.
“Tatlong kailangan natin isabay-sabay. Impeachment, legislation, at saka ‘yung flood control.”
“Tatlong kailangan natin isabay-sabay. Impeachment, legislation, at saka ‘yung flood control,” Cayetano pointed out.
“We have to find a way na isabay-sabay lahat ito,” he concluded.
