With only a week remaining in the current legislative session, House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Partylist Representative France Castro is calling for urgent action for the continuation of the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.
In an interview with Isyung Pambayan on Sunday, June 8, Castro emphasized the constitutional obligation to continue the impeachment proceedings against Duterte and cautioned the Senate, particularly Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero — against dismissing the complaint without due process.
“Yan ang inaabangan natin, ‘di ba sabi naman niya June 11. Kaya’t talagang nagkaroon ng baklas sa kanya ang dami-dami talagang bumatikos. Wala akong narinig na kumampi, wala akong narinig na kumamping organisasyon,” said Castro referring to Escudero, who has drawn criticism for allegedly stalling the impeachment process.
“Kaya sana naman ituloy na ‘yan sa 11 at dire-diretso na ‘yan na marinig hanggang sa magpalit sa 20th Congress,” she added.
Castro emphasized that constitutionalists and legal experts have been clear in saying there is no legal barrier to continuing the impeachment proceedings in the 20th Congress.
“Malinaw naman, mga constitutionalist, mga law expert walang nagsasabi na hindi ito pwedeng ituloy sa 20th Congress. Kaya kailangan makinig ang mga senador sa ating mga constitutionalist, sa ating mga expert, at sa taong-bayan,” she said.
She stressed that any attempt by the upper chamber to block or dismiss the impeachment without a trial would be unconstitutional.
“Unconstitutional talaga ang gagawin ng mga senador kung papayagan nila iyon, at huwag sana idaan sa boto iyon kasi wala naman ‘yan sa rules o wala naman yan sa constitution,” she stressed.
Castro further pointed out that numerous experts have made it clear that dismissing an impeachment complaint without a proper hearing whether on procedural or other grounds is fundamentally wrong.
She emphasized that the Constitution does not permit an impeachment complaint to be abruptly dismissed without a trial, and urged senators to carefully consider this constitutional principle.
Castro noted that the Duterte bloc in the House is preparing to file a counter-resolution, and she anticipates vigorous debate as the matter moves forward.
P200 wage hike
While Castro acknowledged the P200 wage hike as a positive step, she stressed the urgency of its approval and reiterated the Makabayan bloc’s broader proposal of a P750 increase to help meet the estimated P1,200 living wage.
“P750 para mapunan yung P1,200 na living wage. Kaya ang panukala namin ay P750. Medyo malayo itong P200, pero sa tingin natin may relief naman ito sa ating manggagawa, kaya kailangan maipasa na ito,” Castro reiterated.
She also reminded President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. not to veto the wage hike proposal, citing lobbying pressure from employer groups.
“Pinangunahan ko na si Pangulong Marcos baka i-veto niya dahil malakas ang lobbying ng mga employer. Kaya sabi natin, winawarningan natin na huwag i-veto, para magdalawang-isip si President,” she stated.
Moreover, for Castro, any form and amount of wage increase even less than the Makabayan bloc's ideal figure will still benefit minimum wage earners nationwide.
“Sana nga kahit na alin doon, 100,150,200 ay welcome naman sa atin iyon. Basta talagang mabigyan ng omyento lahat ang ating mga minimum wage earner [sa buong bansa],” Castro added.
As she nears the end of her term in Congress, Castro reaffirmed her continued commitment to remain active in advocacy work with the ACT Teachers group.
