- Says move is a political blackmail
By Ivy Tejano
DAVAO CITY – Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte claimed that a lawmaker’s office was allegedly pressuring members of the House of Representatives to support an impeachment effort against Vice President Sara Duterte.
In a statement posted on Rep. Duterte’s official Facebook page, he said the lawmaker’s staff warned House members who refuse to support the impeachment move will have their district allocations in the proposed national budget reduced or withheld.
He said the staff, whom he referred to as “Charise,” was reportedly reaching out to congressional chiefs of staff, telling them their General Appropriations Act would be cut if they fail to support the impeachment.
Rep. Duterte said the alleged pressure affected budgets for development projects, including irrigation systems, schools, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure, especially in provinces already struggling economically.
The Davao lawmaker further claimed that funding for social services could also be affected, saying the public would end up suffering in what he described as an effort to remove a political rival.
Rep. Duterte questioned the motive behind the alleged actions. He added that the public was being punished in what he described as a desperate attempt to eliminate a political opponent. “What are you afraid of?”
He said what was happening was not normal political activity but a direct coercion. He added that if lawmakers were indeed being threatened with budget cuts over their votes, then the situation is no longer democratic.
The lawmaker described the alleged actions as “political blackmail,” stressing that the GAA should not be used to pressure elected officials, as it is meant for citizens’ welfare, not the interests of a few political leaders.
Rep. Duterte added that if leaders were confident in their position, they should rely on evidence rather than threats or pressure, and avoid what he called the misuse of public funds for political ends.
The Davao lawmaker argued the issue was more about control than justice. He said he and his allies would not be intimidated and would continue to stand firm, while also urging the public to stay alert.
Rep. Duterte also criticized the alleged use of taxpayer money as a bargaining tool, saying ordinary Filipinos should not be affected by political disputes. As of now, no further statement yet from other members of the House.
