06/07/2026
TALAKAYANG BAYAN HIGHLIGHTS CONSTITUTIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND THE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS
BAGUIO CITY, July 4, 2026 — More than a hundred participants from civil society organizations, church groups, youth organizations, and concerned citizens gathered at the Sangkabalayan Hall, Our Lady of Atonement Cathedral Compound, for the "Talakayang Bayan para sa Katotohanan at Pananagutan," a public forum that explored the constitutional foundations of impeachment, public accountability, and the ongoing public discourse on the impeachment proceedings involving Vice President Sara Duterte.
The forum was organized by Baguio-Benguet Laban sa Korapsyon (BBLK), the Movement for Accountability, Truth, Change, and Human Dignity (MATCH), the Diocese of Baguio Social Action Commission, and Tongtongan ti Umili-Cordillera People's Alliance (TTU-CPA), among other partner organizations.
Representing the Diocese of Baguio were Rev. Fr. Ronald P. Buyagan, Vicar General; Rev. Fr. Emmanuel C. Panayo, Director of the Diocesan Social Action Commission; Rev. Fr. Mario E. Tambic, Director of the Commission on Environment; and members of the DSAC staff. Their participation expressed support for Caritas Philippines' call for dioceses and parishes to pray for a credible, evidence-based, and fair impeachment trial that upholds justice and peace. Caritas Philippines has likewise encouraged the Church and the faithful to continue monitoring issues surrounding alleged corruption in flood control projects and to advocate for the passage of a genuine Anti-Political Dynasty Law.
The discussions were led by Atty. Howard (Alex) Calleja, constitutional lawyer and Isambayan convenor, and Atty. Neri Colmenares, former Bayan Muna Representative and human rights lawyer.
IMPEACHMENT: A CONSTITUTIONAL MECHANISM FOR ACCOUNTABILITY
Opening the forum, Atty. Calleja explained that impeachment is one of the accountability mechanisms established under the 1987 Philippine Constitution to ensure that the country's highest public officials remain answerable to the people. While the Philippines has three co-equal branches of government—the Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary—he clarified that impeachment is a constitutional process exercised by Congress: the House of Representatives has the exclusive power to initiate impeachment cases, while the Senate has the sole power to try and decide impeachment cases.
He identified the officials who may be impeached under Article XI, Section 2 of the Constitution:
-The President
-The Vice President
-Members of the Supreme Court
-Members of the Constitutional Commissions
-The Ombudsman
According to Calleja, impeachment is a constitutional remedy reserved for serious offenses committed by officials occupying positions of the highest public trust.
CONSTITUIONAL GROUNDS AND THE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS
Calleja outlined the constitutional grounds for impeachment:
-Culpable violation of the Constitution
-Treason
-Bribery
-Graft and corruption
-Other high crimes
-Betrayal of public trust
He also distinguished direct bribery, where a public official receives or accepts something of value in exchange for performing or refraining from an official act, from indirect bribery, which involves accepting gifts offered by reason of one's public office even without an explicit agreement to perform a particular act.
The discussion also covered the impeachment process under Article XI, Section 3 of the Constitution, including the requirement that a two-thirds vote of all Senators is necessary to convict an impeachable official. Calleja further explained that conviction on any one Article of Impeachment is sufficient to remove an official from office and may carry the constitutional penalty of disqualification from holding future public office.
To illustrate the process, he reviewed previous impeachment proceedings involving President Joseph Estrada (2000–2001), Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez (2011), Chief Justice Renato Corona (2011–2012), COMELEC Chairman Andres Bautista (2017), and the impeachment proceedings involving Vice President Sara Duterte.
He likewise cited the Supreme Court ruling in Trillanes IV v. Pimentel, explaining that officials under suspension cannot exercise the powers and functions of their office during the period of suspension.
COLMENARES DISCUSSES THE ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT
In the second session, Atty. Neri Colmenares discussed the Articles of Impeachment filed against Vice President Sara Duterte, focusing on the constitutional and legal issues raised in the complaint.
According to Colmenares, the Articles of Impeachment include allegations of graft and corruption, culpable violation of the Constitution, and betrayal of public trust, among other accusations. He discussed allegations concerning the use of confidential funds and cited questions raised in the complaint regarding compliance with constitutional provisions, the DBM-COA Joint Circular on Confidential and Intelligence Funds, the Vice President's constitutional oath of office, and relevant provisions of the Revised Penal Code.
Colmenares emphasized that these allegations remain subject to the constitutional impeachment process, where evidence is examined and the Senate ultimately determines whether the charges warrant conviction.
PROMOTING CIVICE AWARENESS
The forum concluded with an open discussion on constitutional law, democratic accountability, and the role of citizens in protecting public institutions. Organizers emphasized that understanding the Constitution and the legal processes it provides is essential in promoting transparency, accountability, and responsible governance.
Through initiatives such as the Talakayang Bayan para sa Katotohanan at Pananagutan, organizers hope to encourage informed public participation and strengthen democratic institutions by fostering meaningful discussions grounded in constitutional principles and the rule of law.
🖊️ 📸 hzk
