32 million votes not a license to violate the law–Barbers

Barbers gave this remark in a press conference after the conclusion of the first day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s Senate impeachment trial.

“Hindi naman license yung 32 million votes na mag-commit tayo na mga paglabag sa batas, lalung-lalo na kung ikaw isang public officer,” said Barbers, former overall chaiman of the House quad committee (quad-comm). (The 32 million votes are not a license to commit violations of the law, especially if you are a public officer).

Barbers, also a prosecution panel spokesperson, was clearly referring to trial respondent Duterte, who no-showed the day one of the high-stakes proceedings. The two both hail from Mindanao, the Dutertes’ supposed bailiwick.

“Nakasaad sa ating Saligang Batas na merong mga accountability mechanism na kung saan merong mga pananagutan na dapat harapin ang mga public officer kung merong silang nilabag na batas o mga alituntunin,” noted the former three-term Surigao del Norte congressman.

(Our Constitution provides accountability mechanisms requiring public officers to face responsibility if they break laws or rules).

He says this goes for all impeachable officers and not just Duterte.

The latter attained the historic vote count–the most by any candidate in Philippine history–during the 2022 national elections.

“Does that mean because you’re the most powerful person in the government and because you were able to get x amount of votes, does that give you a license to commit all these violations?” Barbers asked rhetorically.

“Sa aking palagay medyo hindi yung intention nung gumawa ng ating Saligang Batas kaya nilagay ito is because para proteksyunan ang ating ang interest, ang ating mamamayang Pilipino doon sa mga maring pag-abuso,” he further said.

(I believe that was not the intention of the framers of our Constitution; it was included to protect the interests of the Filipino people against possible abuses). — Ellson Quismorio