MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte firmly responded to criticism from Tingog party-list Representative Jude Acidre, saying she will not address issues surrounding her use of confidential funds or her pending impeachment before the House, as she believes House Speaker Martin Romualdez is the real force behind the attacks.
“It’s not that I can’t explain. I’m simply choosing not to—especially to members of the House,” Duterte said during a media interview.
Acidre earlier questioned Duterte’s confidence in overcoming the impeachment case against her, citing her failure to fully disclose how her office allegedly spent millions in confidential funds in just 11 days.
Duterte dismissed the congressman’s remarks, implying they are orchestrated by Speaker Romualdez. “Acidre is just his proxy. So why would I respond to Tingog party-list, when it’s essentially Martin Romualdez talking?” she added.
The Vice President went on to urge the public not to support Tingog in the upcoming May 12 midterm elections, warning that “a vote for Tingog is a vote for Romualdez.”
Duterte was impeached by the House in February on charges including betrayal of public trust, graft, and constitutional violations. She has since challenged the impeachment process in the Supreme Court, claiming procedural violations and abuse of legislative power.