Bicol Saro Partylist Representative Terry Ridon on Wednesday dismissed claims that the 2026 national budget contains allocations to support an impeachment bid against Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Tingin ko walang batayan para sabihin na there are funds being made available to impeach the Vice President… Impeachment proceedings naman po are not based on projects that are promised. Impeachment proceedings are based on quests for truth and accountability, particularly on the use of confidential funds,” Ridon, chairperson of the House Committee on Public Accounts, said.
Ridon added that lawmakers and civil society are free to file an impeachment complaint once the one-year ban lapses on February 6, and he does not believe any 2026 projects would motivate such actions.
“If House members or civil society would want to file it again as soon as the one-year ban is finished, I think they are free to do so. And I don’t think they will be motivated by any promises of any projects for 2026,” he said.
Senator Imee Marcos, however, expressed confidence that another impeachment case will be filed after the ban expires, alleging that budget “goodies” could be used to secure support.
“Wala hong kaduda-duda magfa-file ng impeachment. Parang handang handa na eh. Kasi yun nga, napakadaming goodies sa ating giniling na pork na budget. Kahit sabihin nila na cleanest budget, ang tinign ko mataba pa rin eh,” she said.
ACT Teachers Partylist Representative Antonio Tinio emphasized that there was no discussion of explicit impeachment funding during 2026 budget deliberations.
“There is no explicit budget for impeachment, that’s absurd. However the budget is always used to incentivize the majority to support whatever is the initiative of Malacañang—whether it’s for passing an anti-people bill… or kung gustong itulak ang impeachment, edi pwede rin gamitin ‘yun,” he said.
Tinio added that the budget could still influence legislative support but confirmed there is no specific allocation for impeachment. He also said he sees valid grounds to endorse a fresh complaint after February.
“Wala namang specific budget for impeachment. Definitely, walang ganoong usapan. Pero ang realidad ay paano ba napapakilos ng adminsitrasyon ang super majority para suportahan ang anumang inisyatiba ng administrasyon? Mainly ito ay through the access to the budget. Mas ganoon pa,” he said.