BY JUSTINE ADRIAN AMORA/UM Intern
COUNCILOR Danilo C. Dayanghirang praised House of Representatives members who voted against the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, calling their decision an act of political courage and a reflection of the Filipino’s true concerns.
In his privilege speech during the regular session on Tuesday, May 12, Dayanghirang hailed those who voted “no” as politically mature and principled.
“History will remember your courage to stand firm amid intense political pressure,” Dayanghirang said, addressing his colleagues directly on the floor.
The lawmaker acknowledged that voting against the impeachment came with significant personal and political risks, including the possibility of reduced budget allocations, loss of political support, and harassment from those aligned with the impeachment effort.
“You were willing to sacrifice personal and political comfort for what you sincerely believe will protect your constituents and preserve national stability,” he said.
“I just want to manifest that they are hitting the wrong person,” Dayanghirang added.
The lawmaker said the impeachment process was drawing national attention away from more urgent concerns affecting ordinary Filipinos.
“Our people are crying for solutions, not political division,” Dayanghirang stated.
He warned that the impeachment battle could risk weakening investor confidence and deepening instability at a critical time when economic recovery should be the government’s top priority.
Dayanghirang called for national unity and service-oriented governance, and for all leaders, regardless of political affiliation, to operate within constitutional bounds and to allow democratic institutions to function without interference.
“Whether we like it or not, in the process of governance, minorities are respected. We are booted out, that is democracy,” he said. “But we pray and hope that we always operate within the constitution.”
