Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco – Photo courtesy of Toby Tiangco/Facebook.
Navotas Representative Toby Tiangco said Thursday that all public officials must answer for their actions, amid impeachment complaints filed against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and potential raps against Vice President Sara Duterte.
At the Kamuning Bakery Pandesal Forum, Tiangco emphasized that accountability applies to everyone, regardless of position. “Whether it’s Vice President Sara or President Marcos, my principle is simple: everyone must be accountable. No exceptions,” he said.
Still, Tiangco questioned whether lawmakers themselves have the moral authority to enforce accountability. “Before pointing fingers, we should reflect on our own conduct. Does Congress have the right moral standing to act?” he added, alluding to alleged involvement of some House members in infrastructure-related corruption.
The controversy over flood control projects escalated after Marcos, during his fourth State of the Nation Address, criticized officials and contractors accused of receiving kickbacks. He released a report identifying the top 15 contractors that secured thousands of government contracts.
Subsequent probes by Congress and other government bodies revealed that several legislators had potential interests in these projects or were accused of diverting funds. Leadership changes followed, including the replacement of former Senate President Francis Escudero and former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
On Monday, lawyer Andre de Jesus filed the first impeachment complaint against Marcos, endorsed by Pusong Pinoy party-list Rep. Jernie Jett Nisay. The complaint was forwarded to House Speaker Bojie Dy’s office, though some lawmakers have raised doubts about its merits, citing insufficient grounds.
Other groups, including the Makabayan Coalition and supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte, also prepared impeachment complaints. Meanwhile, past efforts to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte were blocked due to procedural and constitutional issues, with the Supreme Court eventually nullifying one complaint.