Stalwarts of the Duterte government closed ranks around Vice President Sara Duterte following her impeachment by the House of Representatives, saying administration lawmakers have ganged up on her in hopes of snuffing out her 2028 presidential aspirations.
“The sinister maneuvering of certain lawmakers, led by Rep. Garin, to hastily collect signatures and push for the immediate approval and transmittal of this baseless impeachment case is a clear act of political persecution,” said the Vice President’s brother and Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte.
“This is not just about VP Sara Duterte—this is about the will of the Filipino people. The growing discontent and frustration across the country will not be contained for long. Mark my words: this reckless abuse of power will not end in their favor.”
“If they were unfazed by the over one million rallying supporters of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, then they are blindly marching toward an even greater storm—one that could shake the very foundation of their rule,” he added.
For his part, former presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo condemned lawmakers for pushing forward with Duterte’s ouster, calling it a “politically motivated.”
“These lawmakers obviously have not heeded the overwhelming voice of the people opposing the impeachment,” Panelo said in a statement.
He claimed the impeachment process was designed to “destroy and besmirch” Duterte’s reputation to disqualify her from the next presidential race, where she is touted as a leading contender.
Former House Speaker and incumbent Davao Del Norte First District Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez called his colleagues’ decision to proceed with the Vice President’s impeachment as “a very desperate and dangerous move.”
In a text message, he told the Manila Standard that the move was “very dangerous” and that it could lead to a “chaotic” outcome.
He refused to elaborate further on what meant by the statement.
Meanwhile, Senator Ronald Dela Rosa vowed to be impartial when the impeachment trial starts.
“We know that this impeachment is a political exercise. As a sitting judge, I have to maintain my political neutrality. I should be apolitical at this time once I wear my robe,” he said.
“They [congressmen] are so unfair, aren’t they? They are making us hostages here to serve as judges in the impeachment court while they go off campaigning,” the senator added.