Palace on Imee 'threat' video: Claims require evidence

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro on Sunday said accusations carry weight only when backed by evidence, as she responded to Senator Imee Marcos’ claims that lawmakers who refuse to support the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte could face cases before the Office of the Ombudsman.

“Mas may credibility kung sa bawat paghuhusga, may kasama nang ebidensya. Nasasanay na po ang ilang nakakataas na opisyal natin na sa haka-haka na lamang bumabase,” Castro said in a statement.

(There is more credibility in every judgment when it is backed by evidence. Some high-ranking officials have become used to basing conclusions on mere speculation.)

“Mabilis palang makahawa ang gawain ni FPRRD sa paggawa ng intriga at pagplanta ng ebidensya. Huwag tularan!” she added.

(It appears that the practice of creating intrigue and planting evidence associated with FPRRD [former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte] is easily contagious. Do not imitate it.)

Marcos made the remarks in a video posted online, where she alleged that lawmakers were being bribed and intimidated into voting in favor of Duterte’s impeachment.

She cited the Office of the Ombudsman, or “OMB,” as supposedly being used to pressure legislators.

“May bagong pananakot ngayon. Three little letters na naman. Ang pangalan, Ombudsman. O-M-B. Nakakatakot. Kakasuhan ka raw kapag hindi ka bumoto para sa impeachment ni VP Sara,” Marcos said.

(There is a new form of intimidation now. Three little letters again. The name is Ombudsman. O-M-B. It’s frightening. They said you would face charges if you do not vote for the impeachment of VP Sara.)

She also claimed that lawmakers could face a “flood of cases” if they do not vote “properly,” and alleged that bribery and intimidation were taking place.

Marcos further claimed that infrastructure projects had stalled under the current administration due to a lack of funds.

“Tingnan ninyo, may nagpapatayo ba ng mga tulay? Meron bang road widening o bagong kalsada na binubuksan? Wala,” she said.

(Look around. Are bridges being built? Are there road-widening projects or new roads being opened? None.)

In a separate interview with Super Radyo dzBB, Akbayan party-list Representative Perci Cendaña dismissed Marcos’ allegations, saying the evidence against Duterte remained “overwhelming.”

“Ang malinaw dito, overwhelming ang evidence at no amount of black propaganda ng kampo ng Duterte ang makapababali sa tindi ng ebidensiyang ito," he said.

(What is clear here is that the evidence is overwhelming, and no amount of black propaganda from the Duterte camp can weaken it.)

"Huwag nilang daanin sa paninira sa proseso, daanin nila sa pagsagot sa ebidensya,” Cendaña added

(They should stop attacking the process and instead answer the evidence.)

Cendaña also denied allegations that lawmakers were being bribed to support Duterte’s impeachment.

“Wala tayong natatanggap at hindi tayo tumatanggap ng ganyan. Itong sinasabi ni Senator Imee is another desperate attempt para ibahin ang usapan,” he said.

(We are not receiving and will not accept anything like that. What Senator Imee is saying is another desperate attempt to change the narrative.)

The House Committee on Justice earlier found probable cause to impeach Duterte based on two impeachment complaints filed against her this year.

The complaints accuse the Vice President of betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution, among others, over the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds, alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family, and alleged unexplained wealth.

House justice panel chairperson Representative Gerville Luistro is scheduled to sponsor the committee report and the resolution containing the Articles of Impeachment during Monday’s plenary session.

At least 106 votes are needed to transmit the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate for trial.—MCG, GMA News