Solon to Sara Duterte: VP’s reply a mere distraction to real issues

FILE PHOTO: On August 27, 2024, the House committee on appropriations scrutinized the proposed P2.037-billion budget of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) with Vice President Sara Duterte in attendance. PHOTO FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE

MANILA, Philippines — Being a front-runner “is not a defense against serious allegations,” Lanao 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said, addressing Vice President Sara Duterte’s claims that the impeachment complaint against her is “politically motivated” and meant to remove her as a presidential contender in the 2028 polls.

Adiong likewise described Duterte’s remark as a “distraction from the real issues of accountability.”

READ: Sara Duterte: Impeachment part of Marcos’ bid to stay in power

“Let me be very clear: being a front-runner is not a defense against serious allegations. It is not a shield from investigation, nor is it a justification for violating the Constitution,” Adiong said in a statement on Thursday.

“Being a front-runner doesn’t give you the license to commit a crime or to violate a the Constitution. Popularity is not immunity,” he added.

Aside from claims that the impeachment against her is politically motivated, Duterte also alleged that lawmakers received monetary compensation to support the impeachment complaint.

Answering this, Adiong called the allegation “outrageous, malicious, and utterly beneath the dignity of the Office of the Vice President.”

“For her to claim—without a shred of evidence—that we were paid off to do our constitutional duty is an insult to every member of the House of Representatives,” Adiong stressed.

“We signed the impeachment complaint because we believe in accountability—not because we were bought. This institution is not for sale,” Adiong maintained.

Moreover, the lawmaker pointed out that “weaponizing victimhood and disinformation undermines democratic institutions.”

“We do not impeach people because they are popular. We impeach when the law is broken. That is our duty. That is our mandate under the Constitution. No one is above it—not even the most powerful public officials,” said Adiong.

“Let the truth come out in the proper forum. We are not afraid of scrutiny—and neither should she be, if her conscience is clear,” he concluded.

On Wednesday, Duterte claimed that the impeachment moves against her stemmed from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s desire to “perpetuate his or his family’s power.”

Duterte is set to face the Senate impeachment trial amid accusations of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the constitution, graft and corruption, and other high crimes. This comes after the lower chamber impeached her last February 5. /jpv