Makabayan bloc solon bares death threats

House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro has cried foul over the “intensifying death threats” she has been receiving ahead of a scheduled assembly with other lawmakers endorsing the impeachment complaints lodged against Vice President Sara Duterte.

The Makabayan bloc, composed of Castro of ACT Teachers, Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas and Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel, endorsed the second impeachment complaint against Duterte. They said they had invited the endorsers of the other two petitions to a meeting on Wednesday at the House of Representatives to expedite the impeachment process.

Castro, a vocal critic of the Vice President’s alleged wrongdoings, revealed that she has been receiving death threats since speaking out against Duterte. The threats intensified after the announcement of today’s closed-door meeting, she said.

She said she was warned not to go to Davao City, the bailiwick of the Dutertes, where she would be decapitated.

“These cowardly acts of intimidation will not deter us from pursuing accountability. In the past, I chose to ignore similar threats, but now is the time to hold these perpetrators accountable for their actions against those who stand for truth and accountability,” Castro asserted.

She added, “These childish threats and harassment will not intimidate me. They are only proving that we are on the right path in holding accountable those who have squandered public funds.”

Former ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio said the threats should be investigated by the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation.

Castro has been urging the House leadership to take action on the three pending impeachment complaints filed against Duterte, citing time constraints due to the upcoming May 2025 polls.

She also announced the launch of a signature drive to gather the required votes of one-third, or 106 House members, to expedite the impeachment proceedings.

Garnering the required one-third vote is the quick route allowed in the Constitution for the House to immediately elevate the petitions to the Senate, which will sit as a trial court.

The House had done this when it impeached the late Supreme Court Justice Renato Corona on the same day the complaint was filed against him on 12 December 2011.

Duterte faces three impeachment complaints from multiple sectors accusing her of culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust — all grounds for impeachment.

A fourth petition is expected to be filed in the second week of this month when Congress resumes its session.