The Philippine National Police (PNP) has issued a stern warning to the public regarding the spread of misinformation and online incitement as the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte officially commences. PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has mobilized the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG), intelligence units, and regional offices to conduct 24-hour cyber patrolling. The force’s primary objective is to identify and neutralize malicious narratives that threaten to undermine public order, incite violence, or specifically target government institutions and officials during these politically charged proceedings.
To ensure stability throughout the trial, the PNP has ramped up security measures, deploying approximately 6,000 personnel to secure the Senate complex and other high-risk areas. Local police commanders have been instructed to proactively monitor and validate viral misinformation that could trigger civil unrest or public panic. General Nartatez emphasized the importance of public discernment, urging citizens to verify information through official government channels before sharing content online to prevent themselves from inadvertently becoming instruments of those seeking to disrupt the rule of law.
As the political proceedings unfold, prominent labor voices have stepped forward to advocate for the necessity of the constitutional process. Sonny Matula, President of the Federation of Free Workers (FFW), issued a statement stressing that accountability should remain a primary focus, regardless of an individual’s political affiliation or position. Matula urged the Senate to allow the impeachment trial of the Vice President to reach its natural conclusion without interference, maintaining that the constitutional mandate to hold public officials accountable is a cornerstone of the Philippine democracy.
Addressing potential counter-arguments from those who believe the trial is politically motivated, Matula dismissed the idea that the constitutional process should be halted because of other unresolved cases. He argued that the dismissal of complaints against others or the existence of pending investigations into other personalities should not be used as a pretext to derail the current proceedings. Matula asserted that the law does not require every alleged wrongdoer to be prosecuted simultaneously, noting that such a standard would effectively paralyze the justice system.
The FFW warned that adopting an “all-or-nothing” approach toward accountability would only serve to bolster impunity. Matula cautioned that if the failure to prosecute certain individuals were allowed to invalidate proceedings against others, it would create a dangerous loophole where impunity becomes the ultimate defense against impeachment. By insisting that one person’s accountability remains independent of another’s, the FFW is advocating for a consistent, structured application of legal processes that prevents high-ranking officials from shielding themselves behind the grievances or perceived exemptions of others.
Finally, the FFW issued a broader call to the Office of the Ombudsman and various investigative agencies, stressing that public accountability must be applied with total impartiality. Matula argued that corruption, bribery, and plunder allegations deserve uniform investigations, whether the accused belongs to the administration or the political opposition. He concluded that selective enforcement is just as detrimental to public trust as full-scale impunity, noting that the Constitution requires the state to uphold the principle of equal justice rather than resorting to an atmosphere of equal neglect.
