Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon has alleged that rumors about President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s supposed illness and talk of a possible leadership “coup” in the House of Representatives are being circulated to influence lawmakers amid proceedings on the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.
In an interview on Friday, Ridon said reports of attempts to unseat House Speaker Faustino Dy III are part of broader political maneuvering meant to discourage members of Congress from backing impeachment efforts.
“Pag lagi po nga meron talks of a coup, pag lagi po meron talks, for example, challenging the health of the President. Panggulo po ito doon sa pag-iisip din po ng House members baka biglang magkaroon po ng palitan po ng liderato, not just in the House but also at the level of the President hindi ba? Para hindi sila mag-participate in impeachment proceedings laban kay Vice President Sara Duterte,” Ridon said.
He dismissed the possibility of any leadership takeover succeeding, describing the discussions as speculative and lacking real momentum.
“Pero ang totoo ho, yung mga usapin ng mga coup kung 10 o 20 lang ho yung mga nag-uusap. It is something that will never be launched, and it will never be successful,” he added.
Ridon stressed that any change in House leadership would require majority support, which he said is not evident at present. He also noted that Congress is on recess until May, weakening the timing of such moves.
“Sa Mayo pa ho babalik eh. So if someone actually wanted to do a coup, it should have been launched on the first week of the actual session, kasi doon lang ho pwedeng magkaroon ng actual vote,” Ridon explained.
He further characterized the circulating narratives as part of a larger “propaganda war” tied to the impeachment complaint, suggesting that Vice President Duterte could be politically affected by speculation on succession scenarios and leadership shifts.
When asked who might be behind the rumors, Ridon pointed to Duterte’s allies.
“Tingin ko mga alyado po ni VP Sara ang pinagmumulan po ng mga rumors na ito.”
Meanwhile, the House Committee on Justice continues hearings to determine probable cause in the impeachment complaints against Vice President Duterte. If sufficient grounds are established, the case may be elevated to the Senate for trial.