CAGAYAN de Oro City — What happens to public money, government services and the economy when officials are not held accountable?
That question took center stage as youth leaders, students, legal experts and educators gathered at Xavier University on October 3 for a forum on impeachment, corruption and the economy.
The “Pag Barog Forum on Impeachment, Corruption, and the Economy,” organized by the Xavier University Center for Legal Assistance (XUCLA) and YouthSync, focused on the constitutional impeachment process and its wider impact on governance and economic growth.
Atty. Eddie Cuaresma, a law professor at Liceo de Cagayan University and former president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines-Cagayan de Oro and Misamis Oriental chapter, said impeachment is a constitutional tool for holding the country’s highest officials accountable.
He said the process serves as a safeguard against abuse of power and helps protect taxpayers’ money.
Cuaresma said discussions on the impeachment case involving Vice President Sara Duterte should focus on the allegations and evidence rather than political considerations.
He also cautioned against allowing regional loyalty to affect how people assess accountability.
“It doesn’t mean that because we are in Mindanao, we are blindly loyal to a leader who comes from Mindanao,” Cuaresma said, adding that accountability should follow if evidence establishes an impeachable offense.
Dennis Chavez, an engineer and agriculture technology innovator, urged participants to examine the issues carefully instead of simply following political camps.
“We need to understand the issues, analyze their social implications, not just join the bandwagon,” Chavez said.
For Xavier University student-athlete Allan Sambaan, accountability is a principle that applies both in sports and public service.
“In sports, when we play, we are accountable in everything we do on the court. How much more for public officials,” Sambaan said.
The economic cost of corruption was also highlighted during the forum.
Louie Sabal, an economics professor at Bukidnon State University, said money lost through corruption means fewer resources available for basic government services.
“Money lost to corruption results in lost spending for basic services,” Sabal said.
Sabal added that credible accountability mechanisms can also influence investor confidence by showing that the country is serious about good governance.
He said political stability and responsible leadership are important to sustained economic growth.
Xavier University Law School Assistant Dean Ernesto Neri, who moderated the forum, stressed that decisions in the impeachment proceedings should be based on evidence.
The discussion comes as the Senate impeachment court continues proceedings involving Duterte. Current reports say the trial is moving into scrutiny of financial records, including testimony from the Anti-Money Laundering Council and other institutions.
Organizers said the forum was intended to give young people a venue to engage with governance, accountability and national issues and to encourage them to take part in informed public discussions.
