'Bantay Impeachment' launched to monitor VP trial

A coalition of 120 civic groups, academics and religious organizations yesterday launched the "Bantay Impeachment" initiative to promote public vigilance during the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

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The initiative aims to educate the public about the impeachment process, relate legal and constitutional issues to the hardships of Filipinos, mount a pressure campaign on senator-judges to ensure fairness and transparency throughout the trial and counter online disinformation.

In a joint statement, Tama Na, Kilusang Bayan Kontra Kurakot convenor and Makabayan coalition member France Castro urged the public to closely monitor the proceedings, stressing that impeachment is not merely a political contest but a constitutional mechanism designed to uphold public accountability.

"When public funds are misused and public trust is betrayed, it is ordinary citizens who suffer the consequences through inadequate social services, poor governance and deepening corruption," their statement read.

Bantay Impeachment outlined a nationwide campaign anchored on grassroots education and engagement, impeachment monitoring and strategic communications, and citizen mobilization.