Cebu lawmakers cite ‘will of people’ in voting against Duterte impeachment

Local

LAWMAKERS from Cebu who voted against the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte said they only heeded to the will of the people.

Four of the 13 lawmakers from Cebu voted against impeaching the Vice President. They are 4th District Rep. Sun Shimura, Cebu City North District Rep. Cutie Del Mar, 3rd district Rep. Karen Hope Flores-Garcia and Partylist Rep. Girlie Veloso of MalasakitatBayanihan.

Shimura said it was his constituents who gave him the courage to vote “no”.

"To the people of the Fourth District, I thank you for giving me the courage to say No. I have heeded your call, and I remain committed to standing for the best interests of the people I serve," Shimura said in a social media post.

Garcia said she also sought the views of elected officials in the six municipalities, including the 230 barangay captains in her district.

"And I can say with authority that the overwhelming, even near-unanimous, sentiment is against the impeachment of the Vice President," Garcia said.

She added that many of her constituents were concerned that the proceedings would deepen divisions and distract the congress from tackling more urgent matters in the country.

Garcia also noted that impeachment is an "extraordinary remedy" designed to protect the state and should only be used for the gravest violations of the constitution and high crimes.

"I do not believe that the unproven allegations in the impeachment resolution rise to the level of offenses that warrant this extraordinary remedy," she said.

"In these times of uncertainty, when there is no pressure to decide either way. I place my full faith and confidence in the wisdom of the people who sent me to Congress, to be thier voice so that they may be heard," Garcia added.

Veloso shared the same sentiment with Garcia, saying impeachment is an extraordinary constitutional remedy that requires "fairness, prudence and respect due process."

In a statement, Veloso said her decisioni was guided by her duty to uphold constitutional process, institutional stability, and the interest of the Filipinos.

"I also recognize and respect the voice of hte 32.2 million Filipinos who elected Vice President Sara Duterte into office. In a democracy, the mandate given by the people deserves due consideration and respect" she said.

The lawmakers from Cebu who voted in favor of impeaching Duterte were Patricia Calderon of the 7th District, Junard "Ahong" Chan of the Lone District of Lapu-Lapu, 5th District Rep. Duke Frasco, 2nd District Rep. Edsel Galeos, 1st Disrict Rep. Rhea Gullas, 6th District Rep. Daphne Lagon and her husband Ako Bisaya Partylist Rep. Sonny Lagon Rep. Emmarie "Lolypop" Ouano-Dizon of the Lone District of Mandaue, and Cebu City South District Rep. Edu Rama.(MyTVCebu)