Lawmakers on Wednesday dismissed accusations made by individuals claiming to be former Marines, calling them politically motivated and timed to muddle Vice President Sara Duterte’s impending impeachment hearings.
“The timing is suspect. (The allegations are) intended to discredit the members of Quad Comm and, now, the justice committee which will hear the impeachment of the VP,” Manila Rep. Joel Chua said.
“Pag-uusapan po namin ‘yan,” he added when asked if the House would consider filing charges against their accusers.
Chua, chairperson of the House committee on good government and public accountability, previously led inquiries into the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential and intelligence funds of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education during Duterte’s tenure as education secretary.
Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V of La Union urged critics to refrain from spreading what he described as unfounded narratives.
“Mahirap talaga kapag meron kang sariling mundo. Dilulu, dilulu ang tawag sa mga ganyan. Hindi natin masyadong binibigyan ng pansin kasi wala namang katotohanan ‘yun. ‘Yun lang po, ‘wag tayong dilulu,” Ortega said.
He maintained that the circulating accusations have no factual basis and should not distract from legitimate proceedings, stressing that public discourse must remain anchored on truth rather than speculation.
House Committee on Human Rights chairperson Bienvenido Abante Jr. of Manila said he was being targeted for his stance against alleged extrajudicial killings during the administration of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
“The accusation that I accepted suitcases of cash is completely false, baseless, and malicious. I categorically deny it.This is simply the product of politics. I am being targeted because of the positions I have taken and the stands I have refused to compromise, particularly with regard to obtaining justice for the victims of extrajudicial killings,” he said.
“I stand by my record. I stand by my principles. I will not be deterred by fabricated attacks, and will continue to fight for justice for our countrymen,” Abante said.
He quoted a biblical passage: “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.”
“I believe when the facts are laid bare, the truth will speak for itself—and those who chose falsehood will have to answer not only to the public, but to their own conscience, and to our God,” Abante said.
Iloilo City Rep. Julienne Baronda also denied any link to alleged flood control scam investigations.
“I choose not to engage in falsehoods and will instead pray for truth and fairness to prevail. For clarity, my name was never mentioned in the inquiries conducted by the House, the Senate, or by the ICI,” she said.
“The only reason I can think of for my name being dragged into this latest political circus is my association with a local personality who was someone critical of the previous administration and who is helping me navigate local politics,” Baronda said.
She added that she trusts “in the discernment and wisdom of the Ilonggo people to see matters clearly and judge based on truth.”