Former Senator Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan issued a stern warning to all sides of the political divide, saying the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte must not be turned into a weapon for partisan politics—and that the constitutional process must be allowed to run its course without interference, manipulation, or outside pressure on the senator-judges who will hear the case.
“‘Wag mong i-weaponize for partisan political purposes ‘yung impeachment. Hayaan mo ‘yung proseso, ‘wag mong pakialaman, ‘wag mong impluwensyahan. ‘Wag mong sulsulan ‘yung mga senator-judges. In good faith. Tiwala,” Honasan said in an interview on DZRH News program Special on Saturday on May 16.
Honasan said the impeachment is simultaneously a political and a legal process—and that both dimensions must be respected for the outcome to carry legitimacy in the eyes of the Filipino people.
He stressed that the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court beginning Monday, must be allowed to deliberate independently, guided by evidence and the Constitution rather than by political pressure from any camp.
The former senator said the loss of trust between political actors is itself one of the biggest threats to a fair impeachment process, noting that polarization has made it difficult for people to engage in good faith.
“May narinig akong commentator, parang nawala na tayo ng tiwala sa isa’t isa. Paano tayo mag-uusap kung wala tayong tiwala?” Honasan said.
Honasan said the stakes of the impeachment process go far beyond the political futures of those involved, extending to the credibility of Philippine democratic institutions and the welfare of future generations.
“Too much is at stake. And what is at stake? ‘Yung kinabukasan nung ating mga anak. At hindi lang ‘yan sa prosesong ginagawa ng Senado, but more other strategic national issues ang nakataya rito, tulad ng flood control,” he said.
The former senator also warned against treating the impeachment as a zero-sum political contest, saying that even at this late stage—with the articles of impeachment already transmitted to the Senate—it is not too late for the President and the Vice President to pursue dialogue.
“It cannot be a zero-sum game, even at this point,” Honasan said, adding that the impeachment process and the pursuit of political reconciliation are not mutually exclusive.
Honasan cited former President Fidel Ramos as the model for the kind of leadership needed at this moment—a leader willing to spend hours in conversation with political enemies, extending respect and a willingness to listen even to those who oppose him.
He said President Marcos should consider convening a National Unification Council that brings together leaders of all political persuasions to address the country’s deeper and more enduring challenges beyond the impeachment.
The former senator acknowledged that the Senate leadership change—which installed Senator Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate President—has fueled concerns that the impeachment process may be compromised, but said the change of leadership is a normal feature of Senate life and should not be prejudged as an attempt to derail the trial.
“Every six years nagpapalit tayo ng presidente. Every three years nagpapalit tayo ng congressman, ng mayor. Every once in a while nagpapalit tayo ng barangay captain. Pagbabago ‘yan, normal ‘yan,” he said.
Honasan also urged all Filipinos—leaders and citizens alike—to hold on to faith in the constitutional process and in each other, saying the country cannot afford to let the impeachment become another chapter in its long history of repeating the same political mistakes.
“Hindi tayo authorized na mawalan ng pag-asa. We cannot lose this country by default. Too much is at stake,” he said, as the Senate prepares to convene as an impeachment court.
