Sara told: Stop diversionary tactics, address impeach raps

MANILA, Philippines — It would be best for the camp of impeached Vice President Sara Duterte to “stop the diversionary tactics” they have been employing, and focus instead on how she can survive her impending Senate impeachment trial, House lawmakers said yesterday.

House assistant majority leader Jay Khonghun of Zambales’ first district said it was the height of political absurdity to raise issues against Speaker Martin Romualdez, the leader of the House of Representatives that impeached Duterte, at this crucial stage.

“This is nothing more than a desperate move to discredit the impeachment process,” he said. “The real battle here is not about the political wrangling that we expect, but the one which involves truth and justice. These should not be hidden using diversionary tactics.

“The Speaker has been instrumental in ensuring that the rule of law is followed, and now he is being targeted to weaken the case against Vice President Duterte,” he observed. “This, to me, seems crystal clear, let alone the timing. The Speaker is suddenly criticized after the complaint was sent to the Senate.”

“The Duterte camp should not use Speaker Romualdez as scapegoat if only to evade questions about billions of confidential funds lost, or to veer away from the Articles of Impeachment against her,” House deputy majority leader and La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega V added.

“These diversionary tactics have no basis, and this is just another shot at fantasy and fiction. The objective is very obvious, and they are just trying to divert the attention of people from the real issue where the public should focus their attention on – the impeachment of Duterte,” he said.

Manila Rep. Joel Chua, chairman of the House committee on good government and public accountability that probed Duterte’s use of confidential funds, said: “We’ll see each other at the Senate Impeachment Court. We’re ready for her and her antics.”

The impeachment complaint against Vice President Duterte was filed on the grounds of alleged corruption involving confidential funds. It was endorsed by at least 215 lawmakers, a rare show of unity across party lines, signaling broad support for accountability.

Ortega, also a member of the “Young Guns” club in the House, warned the Duterte camp against derailing any further the trial in the Senate.

“If they think we will get distracted through these tactics, they’re definitely wrong, because we will pursue this truth – with more vigor than ever.”

Another 25 lawmakers who were not personally able to sign the complaint sent verifications to be part of the complainants in the impeachment raps against Vice President Duterte, bringing the total number to 240 or almost 80 percent of the 306-member House.

Ortega warned that attempts to derail the impeachment trial through politically motivated cases would only backfire on them.

“The Senate must not be swayed by political distractions. The people demand transparency and accountability, and they will not be fooled by these diversionary tactics.”

He urged the Senate to remain independent and not allow external influences to affect the impeachment trial.