As election issues

COMMONSENSE

- MARICHU A. VILLANUEVA

Vice President Sara Duterte has palpably toned down her patented public fits of ranting despite facing very serious impeachment complaints. While a looming impeachment trial could spell political doom for her, VP Sara has been exuding a couldn't-care-less demeanor lately. She goes visiting around the country on business-as-usual mode at the Office of the Vice President (OVP).

In fact, VP Sara announced she is flying again to the Netherlands to visit her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte. Currently cooling his heels in detention at The Hague, the 80-year-old erstwhile president is facing alleged crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

According to VP Sara, she would celebrate her birthday on May 31 at The Hague along with her mother, Elizabeth Zimmerman. VP Sara just got back to the Philippines last April 7 from her almost one-month stay at The Hague. She flew to The Hague a few days after her father was flown there last March 11 to face trial on 43 counts of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) related to the bloody all-out war against illegal drugs during Duterte's presidency.

She returned to the OVP after getting lawyers and organizing the preparations for the defense of her father. This, despite the fact that VP Sara herself is facing impeachment charges officially transmitted by the House of Representatives to the Senate much earlier, last Feb. 5. Although officially received before they adjourned on the last session day of the 19th Congress, its transmittal was not mentioned on the Senate floor.