Photo courtesy of Congressman Paolo “Pulong” Duterte/Facebook.
Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte on Sunday released a statement ahead of the planned impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Bago pa man ihain ang anumang panibagong impeachment complaint ngayong February 2026, this is a call to my colleagues — huwag ninyong ipasa sa taumbayan ang isang desisyong matagal nang niluto sa likod ng saradong pinto,” Duterte said.
He questioned whether lawmakers genuinely consulted their constituents.
Duterte suggested the move may be driven by the administration, the budget, and power.
“If ito ay usapin ng konsensya, bakit parang may script? Bakit minamadali? At bakit sabay-sabay na kikilos ang isang supermajority na parang may utos?” he stressed.
He questioned whether the impeachment truly reflected public sentiment, asking, “Ingon ana ba jud na ang ‘boses ng taumbayan,’ o boses lang sa iilan nga may hawak sa pondo ug impluwensya?”
(Is that really the ‘voice of the people,’ or just the voice of a few who control the funds and influence?)
Duterte warned lawmakers that in politics, “walang libreng pirma,” urging them to explain to the public what was offered in exchange for their support and where their loyalty lies.
“This is about accountability,” Duterte said, adding, “Ug kung dili ninyo kayang mutubag sa katawhan ug mutindog sa kamatuoran, ayaw ninyo gamita ang ngalan sa taumbayan aron tabunan ang inyong desisyon.”
(And if you cannot answer to the people and stand for the truth, do not use the name of the people to cover your decision).
Talk of a new impeachment complaint surfaced as the one-year ban lapsed following the Supreme Court’s ruling that the House’s February 2025 impeachment of the Vice President was unconstitutional.
That earlier complaint, backed by 215 lawmakers, stemmed from allegations involving confidential funds and alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the First Lady, and a former House Speaker, with the high court’s ruling on the House’s motion for reconsideration still pending.
Malacañang has said Marcos Jr. will not intervene in any new impeachment bid, with Palace Press Officer Claire Castro saying the President will allow the process to proceed according to law and support its outcome.
