NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
Acidre: Vice President Must Be Held To A Higher Standard As Impeachment Trial Nears
Photo credit: Congress PH
As the Senate prepares to convene as an impeachment court on July 6, Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre said the upcoming proceedings are about more than politics—they are about defining the level of accountability expected from the country's highest-ranking officials.
Acidre, who chairs the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education, stressed that public officials, especially those holding the nation's second-highest office, should be held to a higher standard because their words and actions influence the public, particularly young Filipinos.
"If students are expected to be accountable for what they say and do, then our country's leaders should be expected to meet an even higher standard. The greater the position, the greater the responsibility," Acidre said.
He pointed out that schools consistently teach values such as respect, self-discipline, and responsible speech, saying these principles should also apply to those entrusted with public office.
"We cannot teach students the importance of respect and restraint inside the classroom, then suddenly claim those standards no longer matter when it comes to the country's highest officials," he added.
According to Acidre, the impeachment trial is not an attempt to silence political expression. Instead, he said, it is the constitutional process that will determine whether the Vice President's actions met—or violated—the standards required by the office.
"This is not about an ordinary citizen. We are talking about someone who could assume the presidency at any moment. That is why the expectations and standards should also be extraordinary," he said.
Acidre also emphasized that the House prosecution panel's role is to present evidence, while it is the Senate's duty, acting as an impeachment court, to weigh that evidence fairly and objectively.
"The decision will not be made on social media or during press conferences. It will be made by the Senate based on the evidence presented during the impeachment trial," he said.
As the proceedings draw closer, Acidre encouraged the public to closely follow the trial and allow the constitutional process to unfold.
"Starting July 6, opinions should take a back seat to evidence. As citizens, we owe it to ourselves to listen with an open mind and respect the process laid out in our Constitution," he said.
Acidre, who chairs the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education, stressed that public officials, especially those holding the nation's second-highest office, should be held to a higher standard because their words and actions influence the public, particularly young Filipinos.
"If students are expected to be accountable for what they say and do, then our country's leaders should be expected to meet an even higher standard. The greater the position, the greater the responsibility," Acidre said.
He pointed out that schools consistently teach values such as respect, self-discipline, and responsible speech, saying these principles should also apply to those entrusted with public office.
"We cannot teach students the importance of respect and restraint inside the classroom, then suddenly claim those standards no longer matter when it comes to the country's highest officials," he added.
According to Acidre, the impeachment trial is not an attempt to silence political expression. Instead, he said, it is the constitutional process that will determine whether the Vice President's actions met—or violated—the standards required by the office.
"This is not about an ordinary citizen. We are talking about someone who could assume the presidency at any moment. That is why the expectations and standards should also be extraordinary," he said.
Acidre also emphasized that the House prosecution panel's role is to present evidence, while it is the Senate's duty, acting as an impeachment court, to weigh that evidence fairly and objectively.
"The decision will not be made on social media or during press conferences. It will be made by the Senate based on the evidence presented during the impeachment trial," he said.
As the proceedings draw closer, Acidre encouraged the public to closely follow the trial and allow the constitutional process to unfold.
"Starting July 6, opinions should take a back seat to evidence. As citizens, we owe it to ourselves to listen with an open mind and respect the process laid out in our Constitution," he said.
Jun 29, 2026
We are dedicated storytellers with a passion for bringing your brand to life. Our services range from news and media features to brand promotion and collaborations.
Interested? Visit our
Contact Us page for more information. To learn more about what we offer, check out our latest article on services and opportunities.
