Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte issued a stinging rebuke of the House leadership on Friday, alleging that a campaign of intimidation is being used to secure votes for the impeachment of his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte.
The lawmaker claimed that colleagues are being threatened with the complete removal of their district’s budget allocations if they refuse to support the filing.
Duterte’s social media post pointed specifically to the staff of “Charise,” a reference that House Deputy Speaker and Bacolod City Lone District Representative Albee Benitez and other sources identify as Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative and House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, the son of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“Nagtatawag na daw ang mga staff ni Charise sa mga chief of staff ng mga congressman na bumoto para sa impeachment kung hindi ay tatanggalin ang buong GAA ng kanilang distrito. Ibig sabihin, lahat kasama yung mga pondo para sa patubig, paaralan, tulay, kalsada at iba pang kailangan lalo sa mga probinsyang hirap na hirap.”
(“Charise’s staff are allegedly calling the chiefs of staff of congressmen, telling them to vote for impeachment or the entire GAA [General Appropriations Act] for their district will be removed. This means everything—including funds for irrigation, schools, bridges, roads, and other needs, especially in provinces that are struggling.”)
The Representative further alleged that social service funds are also being withheld as a punitive measure against political opponents. He described the current administration as a “bangag” (stoned) leadership, asserting that the national budget is being weaponized.
“What we are seeing now under the bangag leadership is not politics as usual—this is outright coercion. The national budget is not a weapon. Hindi ito panakot. Hindi ito ginagamit para pilitin ang mga halal na kinatawan na sumunod sa gusto ng iilan. Uulitin ko, tao ang paparusahan ninyo para sa mga ambitions ninyo.”
(“What we are seeing now under the bangag leadership is not politics as usual—this is outright coercion. The national budget is not a weapon. It’s not a threat. It’s not used to force elected representatives to follow the will of a few. I repeat, you are punishing the people for your ambitions.”)
Duterte challenged the House leadership to rely on evidence rather than what he termed the “hostage-taking of public funds.” He suggested that the use of blackmail is a sign of weakness and fear within the administration.
“Ug kung kinahanglan manghadlok ug mang-blackmail para lang mapasa ang impeachment, then that already tells us everything—we are not dealing with strength, but with fear.”
(“And if it’s necessary to frighten and blackmail just to pass the impeachment, then that already tells us everything—we are not dealing with strength, but with fear.”)
The lawmaker’s tirade follows the Wednesday vote by the House Committee on Justice, which found probable cause in the impeachment complaints against the Vice President with 53 unanimous votes.
Despite Duterte’s claims, several members of the panel, including Representative Janette Garin, have denied being pressured, maintaining that the evidence regarding the misuse of confidential funds and unexplained wealth is strong enough to stand on its own.
Duterte concluded by vowing not to back down, stating that the very taxes paid by hardworking Filipinos are now being used as a tool for harassment by the current administration.