Leaders at the House of Representatives sounded the alarm over a plan by opposition solons to divert public attention from the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.
On Sunday, two lawmakers called an impending complaint against Speaker Martin Romualdez and two other House leaders “a feeble attempt” to distract the public’s focus from the legislature’s efforts to hold Duterte accountable for alleged wrongdoings while in office.
Deputy Majority Paolo Ortega of La Union and Assistant Majority Leader Jay Khonghun of Zambales said the supposed complaint would attempt to accuse Romualdez, Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe, and Rep. Zaldy Co of budget insertions in the 2025 national budget.
“There is no basis, another fantasy and fiction. It is obvious that the goal is to divert public attention from the real issue,” Ortega said.
“Don’t use that as a coverup,” he added.
For his part, Khonghun said the expected allegations against the Speaker will merely be another attempt to discredit the House’s overwhelming support for Duterte’s impeachment.
“This is nothing more than a desperate move to discredit the impeachment process,” he said.
“Speaker Romualdez has been instrumental in ensuring that the rule of law is followed, and now he is being targeted to weaken the case against VP Duterte,” he stressed.
The complaint against Romualdez dubiously coincides with the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, he noted.
Ortega warned attempts to derail the impeachment trial through politically motivated cases would only backfire.
He urged the Senate to stay independent and disallow external influences from affecting the impeachment trial.
“The Senate must not be swayed by political distractions. The people demand transparency and accountability, and they will not be fooled by these diversionary tactics,” he said.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Lawmakers slam complaint against House leaders as ‘baseless’ distraction”