BINIGYANG-DIIN ni House Minority Leader Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan kung bakit dapat na agad aksyunan ang isang impeachment case.

Ayon kay Libanan, miyembro ng 11-man House prosecution panel sa impeachment trial ni Vice President Sara Duterte, ang agarang paglilitis ay kailangan dahil sa iba’t ibang dahilan.

“The first reason is to prevent further harm. If an official is abusing their power, breaking the law, or acting against the public interest, allowing them to remain in office could lead to greater damage,” ani Libanan.

“The second reason is to uphold the rule of law. Swift impeachment reinforces public accountability and ensures that no one is above the law,” dagdag niya.

“The third reason is to maintain public trust. Delays in impeachment proceedings can erode confidence in government institutions and create the perception that justice is not being served,” binigyang-diin ni Libanan.

“The fourth reason is to preserve institutional integrity. If an official is unfit for office, their continued stay can weaken the legitimacy of the institution they serve,” saad pa nito.

Ayon kay Libanan, ang ikalimang dahilan ay upang maiwasan na mayroong manghimasok sa proseso.

“The longer an impeachable official stays in power, the greater the risk of obstruction—whether through intimidation of witnesses, manipulation of the system, or other means to evade accountability,” ipinaliwanag ng kongresista.

Sa huli, binigyang-diin ni Libanan ang kahalagahan ng pagkakaroon ng halimbawa upang pigilan ang maling gawain ng matataas na opisyal ng gobyerno sa hinaharap.

“Taking swift action sends a strong message that wrongdoing will not be tolerated and will be met with decisive consequences,” iginiit niya.

Si Libanan, na isang abogado, ay dating chairman ng House committee on justice.

Ginawa ni Libanan ang pahayag kasunod ng muling pagtitiyak ni Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez sa kahandaan ng House prosecution panel sa isasagawang impeachment trial ng Bise Presidente.

“The House has fulfilled its duty by transmitting the Articles of Impeachment, and our prosecution panel stands ready to present the case as soon as the impeachment court is convened,” ayon sa pahayag ni Speaker Romualdez noong Marso 19.

“We trust that the Senate will carry out its constitutional duty and proceed with the trial without unnecessary delays, in full adherence to the rule of law,” dagdag niya.

Ayon sa Artikulo 11, Seksyon 2 ng Konstitusyon (Pananagutan ng mga Opisyal ng Publiko): “The President, the Vice President, the Members of the Supreme Court, the Members of the Constitutional Commissions, and the Ombudsman may be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust.”