Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro and Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila De Lima reminded the public that the impeachment trial was a Constitutional duty, not simply done out of a whim or to push a political agenda.

“What you should remember is that this is a Constitutional duty. By duty, this is not our choice. This is obligatory on our part: to push for this proceeding. This is not a question of ‘Gusto ba namin, o ayaw namin?’ No. This is a duty, and therefore, we have no choice but to push forward,” Luistro said during a Tuesday press conference.

De Lima stressed that this duty is bigger and “primordial”—existing before any of them and due for implementation regardless of their personal or political interests.

“This duty is bigger than all of us. This duty is enshrined and mandated by no less than the Constitution, and actually imposed by the Filipino people. So this is bigger than any one of us, and this is bigger and far more primordial than any personal or political concerns,” De Lima said.

This came in response to a concern that many Filipinos seem opposed to the impeachment trial, the very same who had voted for the lawmakers who make up the House prosecution panel.

During the press conference, Rep. Luistro announced that the House prosecution panel has divided responsibilities among its members in handling the Articles of Impeachment during the trial, with each group assigned to specific charges.