Youth activist organization Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan (SPARK) took their protest to the streets on Wednesday, staging an “operation dikit” along Taft Avenue to press for Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero’s recusal from the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.
The group plastered posters and handed out flyers to commuters, accusing Escudero of compromising the integrity of the impeachment process by siding with efforts to block Duterte’s trial.
“By allowing his fellow senators to propose and carry motions that whisk Sara Duterte away from justice, Escudero has made a mockery of the constitution and the innate right of the Filipino people to hold officials to account,” said SPARK secretary general Patricia Racca.
SPARK slammed Escudero for permitting the return of the articles of impeachment to the House of Representatives last June 10, branding it as a move that undermined the Senate’s constitutional mandate as an impeachment court.
“Instead of doing the job for which he was elected, Escudero has the gall to enable attempts to delay the Senate from fulfilling its duty… and even argued that it is an unaccountable court with no limits in the decisions it can make,” Racca added.
The group warned that unless Escudero withdraws from the case, accountability for Duterte’s alleged abuses of power and misuse of public funds may never be achieved.
They also suggested that Escudero’s handling of the proceedings could itself be grounds for an impeachment case, accusing him of leading a “kangaroo court” meant to protect Duterte rather than seek justice.
SPARK maintained that Duterte must be held accountable for corruption while in office, reaffirming their broader call for genuine accountability from public officials and resistance against political dynasties.
