Pulong Duterte: VP Sara’s impeachment is 'political persecution'

The House of Representatives’ vote to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte is "baseless" and "political prosecution," her brother and Davao City Rep. Paolo "Pulong" Duterte said.

The congressman issued the statement after 215 members of the House filed an impeachment complaint against Sara Duterte based on seven grounds, accusing her of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and other high crimes.

The accusations were largely based on the Vice President’s alleged misuse of P612 million worth of confidential funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) during Duterte’s tenure as Education chief.

“I am appalled and enraged by the desperate and politically motivated efforts to railroad the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.  The sinister maneuvering of certain lawmakers, led by [Iloilo] Rep. [Janette] Garin, to hastily collect signatures and push for the immediate approval and transmittal of this baseless impeachment case is a clear act of political persecution,” Pulong Duterte said.

“This administration is treading on dangerous ground. If they were unfazed by the over one million rallying supporters of the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC), then they are blindly marching toward an even greater storm—one that could shake the very foundation of their rule,” he added.

He was referring to the INC rally held last January 13 which expressed opposition to the impeachment of the Vice President.

The INC rally gathered over one million people.

“The Filipino people will not sit idly by as this government undermines democracy and silences opposition through fabricated accusations. If the Marcos administration thinks it can push this sham impeachment without consequence, they are gravely mistaken,” he said.

“This is not just about Vice President Duterte—this is about the will of the Filipino people. The growing discontent and frustration across the country will not be contained for long. Mark my words: this reckless abuse of power will not end in their favor,” he added.

In a statement, Garin said Duterte received false reports from his "informant."

"I was present in our political party consultation.  It was a consensus of the majority for us to perform our constitutional duty, hence, I signed," she said.

"Those who wanted to endorse the impeachment complaint will have to go to the Secretary General and manifest and sign seven copies.  How can I gather signatures? I'm not authorized, and each member of Congress has his or her own independent mind," Garin added.

Former chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo echoed Pulong Duterte’s sentiments.

“As I have repeatedly stated, the purpose is to destroy and besmirch the reputation of VP Sara with the ultimate goal of disqualifying her from the 2028 presidential elections, being the leading contender,” Panelo, who served during the administration of the Vice President’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, said in a separate statement.

“These lawmakers obviously have not heeded the overwhelming voice of the people opposing the impeachment of the Vice President, nor have they respected the wish of President Marcos, Jr. to forego such a divisive and non-productive political endeavor that does not benefit a single Filipino,” Panelo added.

The impeachment, Panelo said, will only galvanize people’s support for the Vice President.

“This will fan the flames of disgust and rage against their willful and brazen violation of the guarantees enshrined in the Constitution,” Panelo said.

GMA News Online is trying to get the side of the House leadership on the statements. —LDF, GMA Integrated News