Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acide/Facebook.
Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre strongly rejected allegations that lawmakers were bribed to support the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Acidre called the accusations “categorically false” and urged those making the claims to provide evidence.
The lawmaker’s statement came in response to remarks by Rep. Toby Tiangco, who alleged that some members received funding allocations in exchange for backing the impeachment.
Acidre stressed that no deals or exchanges influenced his decision. He said his support was based entirely on the evidence presented during congressional hearings.
He personally attended committee hearings, reviewed documents, and listened to testimonies before arriving at his conclusion. He admitted that the choice was difficult, noting that he had supported Duterte in the 2022 elections.
“I campaigned for Vice President Duterte. I believed in her. That is precisely why this decision was not easy,” Acidre said, adding that leadership requires fidelity to the truth over personal loyalty.
Acidre described Tiangco’s claims as “reckless and baseless,” warning that they could damage the credibility of Congress and mislead the public.
He also clarified that no pressure or directives came from House leadership, including former Speaker Martin Romualdez, and challenged accusers to present their evidence in proper legal venues rather than making public claims without proof.