Labor group urges reforms after Duterte impeachment

MANILA — Partido Manggagawa called for broader political and labor reforms after the House of Representatives impeached Vice President Sara Duterte by an overwhelming vote of 255, saying accountability should not stop with the impeachment trial.

The House vote marked the second time Duterte was impeached, sending the case to the Senate for trial.

Partido Manggagawa said the Senate is obligated to convene as an impeachment court regardless of its leadership.

“Walang lusot dito—sino mang liderato man ang maupo sa Senado,” the labor group said.

Under the 1987 Constitution, the Senate has the sole power to try and decide impeachment cases, and conviction requires the concurrence of two-thirds of all senators.

A conviction would remove Duterte from office and could permanently bar her from holding public office.

Duterte has denied allegations against her, which include misuse of public funds, unexplained wealth, and threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his close associates, according to Reuters.

Partido Manggagawa raised concern that the recent change in Senate leadership could affect the impeachment proceedings.

Reuters reported that a surprise Senate leadership change replaced the Senate president with Alan Peter Cayetano, described as a Duterte family ally, as the chamber prepares to handle the trial.

“But if the recent Senate coup was engineered precisely to delay or derail this process, including shielding political allies from accountability such as the ICC issue, then it only exposes a deeper institutional crisis,” Partido Manggagawa said.

The International Criminal Court has committed former President Rodrigo Duterte to trial over alleged crimes against humanity linked to his anti-drug campaign, Reuters reported.

Partido Manggagawa said the Senate itself should confront questions of accountability.

“Lalabas na hindi lamang si Sara Duterte ang dapat sumailalim sa paglilitis—kailangan din ng Senado na maglinis ng sarili. An institution that evades accountability loses the moral authority to judge others,” the group said.

The group said the same challenge applies to the House of Representatives.

Partido Manggagawa said the House should prove its commitment to “self-cleansing” by passing the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill, pending PHP 200 wage hike bills, and the abolition of provincial wage rates.

It said provincial wage rates have long burdened workers.

The group also called for action on other important social legislation.

“Sayang ang impeachment kung hindi matutuloy at kung walang kasabay na reporma,” Partido Manggagawa said.

It warned that impeachment without wider reform could become political theater.

“Accountability without structural change risks becoming mere spectacle,” the group said.

Partido Manggagawa said genuine government reform should address both individual wrongdoing and structural problems.

“Ang tunay na paglilinis ng gobyerno ay hindi lang pagpapanagot sa indibidwal na opisyal kundi pagwawasto din sa mga problemang istruktural katulad ng dinastiya, katiwalian, at anti-poor policies,” the group said.