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Advocates Philippines
Khonghun Says Youth Need Leaders Who Show Up And Face Their Duties
Photo credit: Congress PH
Deputy Speaker Jay Khonghun of Zambales raised concerns over proposals in the Senate that would allow remote participation and voting during impeachment proceedings, saying the move sends the wrong message to young Filipinos about responsibility and accountability.
In a statement on Thursday, Khonghun questioned why lawmakers who may be absent or even detained should still be allowed to take part in one of the country’s most important constitutional processes.
He said many ordinary Filipinos are asking whether powerful officials are being given special treatment, especially when students and workers usually face consequences for being absent.
The issue surfaced after heated debates in the Senate over proposals to expand remote participation rules, triggering a walkout from several minority senators who feared the changes could benefit lawmakers facing possible legal troubles.
For Khonghun, an impeachment trial is far more serious than a regular legislative session and requires senator-judges to be physically present to hear witnesses, examine evidence, and properly assess credibility.
“Impeachment is not a Zoom meeting or an online class where you can simply log in,” he stressed.
Khonghun warned that relaxing long-standing rules for political convenience could damage public trust in democratic institutions and weaken confidence in the impeachment process itself.
He also emphasized that public office should be treated as a responsibility, not a privilege, especially in the eyes of the youth.
According to the Deputy Speaker, many young Filipinos are already frustrated by what they see as double standards in government, where ordinary citizens are held accountable while powerful officials appear to operate under different rules.
Khonghun clarified that his remarks were not aimed at any specific senator, but at the larger implications of changing Senate rules during a sensitive constitutional proceeding.
He said the bigger issue at stake is the public’s trust in institutions and the values being passed on to the next generation.
In a statement on Thursday, Khonghun questioned why lawmakers who may be absent or even detained should still be allowed to take part in one of the country’s most important constitutional processes.
He said many ordinary Filipinos are asking whether powerful officials are being given special treatment, especially when students and workers usually face consequences for being absent.
The issue surfaced after heated debates in the Senate over proposals to expand remote participation rules, triggering a walkout from several minority senators who feared the changes could benefit lawmakers facing possible legal troubles.
For Khonghun, an impeachment trial is far more serious than a regular legislative session and requires senator-judges to be physically present to hear witnesses, examine evidence, and properly assess credibility.
“Impeachment is not a Zoom meeting or an online class where you can simply log in,” he stressed.
Khonghun warned that relaxing long-standing rules for political convenience could damage public trust in democratic institutions and weaken confidence in the impeachment process itself.
He also emphasized that public office should be treated as a responsibility, not a privilege, especially in the eyes of the youth.
According to the Deputy Speaker, many young Filipinos are already frustrated by what they see as double standards in government, where ordinary citizens are held accountable while powerful officials appear to operate under different rules.
Khonghun clarified that his remarks were not aimed at any specific senator, but at the larger implications of changing Senate rules during a sensitive constitutional proceeding.
He said the bigger issue at stake is the public’s trust in institutions and the values being passed on to the next generation.
May 29, 2026
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