By Brian Campued
A House leader on Friday urged Vice President Sara Duterte to stop “policking” and face the impeachment charges filed against her, citing the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey which showed the majority of Filipinos backing the calls for Duterte to clear her name amid allegations of corruption.
Deputy Majority Leader and La Union 1st District Rep. Paolo Ortega V stressed that the survey reflects the strong public clamor for Duterte to address the charges against her, particularly the alleged misuse of confidential funds under the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
“Kung talagang walang kasalanan si VP Sara, bakit takot siyang harapin ang mga paratang?” Ortega said.
Based on the Stratbase Group-commissioned survey conducted on May 2–6, about 68% of respondents said Duterte should “definitely” address the impeachment charges, with some 20% saying she “probably should”.
Only 7% believed the Vice President should “probably” or “definitely” address the issue, while 4% said they “don’t know enough.”
The same SWS survey also found that 93% of the respondents want Duterte to “collaboratively work” with the administration “to prioritize the nation’s needs,” while 74% said she should “step back from criticizing the government.”
“Ang mensahe ng survey ay malinaw: Harapin ang kaso, tumigil sa [pamomolitika], at makipagtulungan para sa ikabubuti ng bansa. ‘Yan ang inaasahan ng taumbayan sa isang Pangalawang Pangulo,” Ortega said. “Hindi po ito panahon ng awayan. Gusto ng mamamayan ay magkaisa tayong lahat para sa Bagong Pilipinas.”
Senate President Francis Escudero, however, moved the presentation of the Article of Impeachment against Duterte to June 11 instead of June 2—stressing that solons need to act on urgent priority bills before Congress adjourns sine die on June 14.
Ortega expressed dismay over Escudero’s decision, but said he remains “optimistic” that the Senate would push through with the new schedule.
The lawmaker said,“Tayo naman po, ay sabi ko nga, kailangan optimistic ka kahit papaano. At saka sabi ko panindigan nila ’yong pinadala nilang huling letter, pati ’yong schedule po na alas kuwatro—dapat po siguro wala na pong kahit na anong delay kasi last day na rin po ’yon… we can’t afford dramatic changes.”
More confidential funds recipients revealed
In a press release Thursday, Ortega also bared more names listed as alleged recipients of the OVP’s confidential funds, including surnames similar to incumbent lawmakers and even a famous bakeshop brand.
Among the names discovered were:
- Beth Revilla
- Janice Marie Revilla
- Diane Maple Lapid
- John A. Lapid Jr.
- Clarisse Hontiveros
- Kristine Applegate Estrada
- Denise Tanya Escudero
- Cannor Adrian Contis
- Kris Solon
- Paul M. Solon
Like previously flagged names, Ortega said the newly discovered entries did not appear in official birth, marriage, or death records from the Philippine Statistics Authority.
“These irregularities are too glaring to ignore—these names from [the] supposed ‘Budol Gang’ call for a deeper look,” Ortega stated. “Public funds ang pinag-uusapan. Kung wala silang maipakitang ebidensya na tunay ang mga taong ito, ito mismo ang magiging matibay na ebidensya laban sa kanya sa impeachment trial.” (with report from Mela Lesmoras / PTV News)
-jpv
