House leaders on Sunday denounced the complaints to be filed against Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, calling them nothing more than a feeble attempt to divert public attention and shift focus away from the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, a press release from the House of Representatives said.
Deputy Majority Paolo Ortega of La Union and Assistant Majority Leader Jay Khonghun of Zambales said the complaint, which will accuse Speaker Romualdez, Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe and ex-Appropriations panel chief Zaldy Co of alleged budget insertions in the 2025 national budget, are politically motivated and meant to undermine the leadership of the House.
Khonghun said the allegations against the Speaker are merely an attempt to discredit the House’s overwhelming support for Duterte’s impeachment.
According to Khonghun, the latest issue raised against Speaker Romualdez came shortly after the impeachment complaint against Duterte reached the Senate, raising suspicions about the timing of the allegations.
The impeachment complaint against Vice President Duterte was filed on the grounds of alleged corruption involving confidential funds. It was endorsed by 215 lawmakers, a rare show of unity across party lines, signaling broad support for accountability.
Another 25 lawmakers who were not able to personally sign the complaint sent verifications to be part of the complainants in the impeachment raps against VP Duterte, bringing the total number to 240 or almost 80 percent of the House.
Ortega warned that attempts to derail the impeachment trial through politically motivated cases would only backfire.
Ortega urged the Senate to remain independent and not allow external influences to affect the impeachment trial.
As the impeachment trial looms, Khonghun emphasized the importance of maintaining focus on the charges against Duterte and ensuring a fair and transparent process.*
