House leaders have dismissed allegations aired by 18 individuals claiming to be former Marines, describing the accusations as politically motivated and intended to undermine the impending impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Manila Rep. Joel Chua said the timing of the claims was questionable and appeared designed to discredit members of the House’s Quad Committee and the justice panel set to hear the impeachment complaint.
“The timing is suspect. The allegations are intended to discredit the members of Quad Comm and, now, the justice committee which will hear the impeachment of the VP,” said Chua, who chairs the House committee on good government and public accountability.
Asked whether charges would be filed against their accusers, Chua said the matter would be discussed.
In the previous Congress, the multi-panel Quad Committee and Chua’s panel conducted hearings into Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential and intelligence funds released to the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education during her tenure as education secretary.
Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V of La Union also rejected the accusations, calling them baseless and urging critics to refrain from spreading unfounded narratives.
He said the claims did not merit serious attention and stressed that public discourse should be grounded in facts rather than speculation.
Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., chair of the House committee on human rights, likewise denied allegations that he had accepted suitcases of cash.
“The accusation that I accepted suitcases of cash is completely false, baseless, and malicious. I categorically deny it,” Abante said, adding that the claims were politically motivated.
He said he was being targeted for his stance against alleged extrajudicial killings during the administration of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
“I stand by my record. I stand by my principles. I will not be deterred by fabricated attacks, and will continue to fight for justice for our countrymen,” Abante said.
Iloilo City Rep. Julienne Baronda also denied being implicated in any flood control scam investigation.
“For clarity, my name was never mentioned in the inquiries conducted by the House, the Senate, or by the ICI,” Baronda said.
She said her inclusion in the allegations could be linked to her association with a local figure critical of the previous administration and who has been assisting her in local political matters.
Baronda added that she trusts the public to discern the truth and judge the issue fairly.
House leaders maintained that the accusations lack factual basis and are part of efforts to muddle the impeachment process against the vice president.
