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Advocates Philippines
Pulong Duterte Alleges 'Political Blackmail' Over Impeachment Vote
Photo credit: Pulong Duterte
Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte has raised serious allegations of political pressure tied to the ongoing impeachment proceedings, claiming that some lawmakers are being threatened with the loss of funding for their districts.
In a strongly worded statement, Duterte said reports have reached him that certain congressional staff are allegedly contacting chiefs of staff of lawmakers, warning that districts could lose their allocations under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) if they do not support the impeachment push.
According to Duterte, the supposed threats go beyond political maneuvering and could directly affect essential public services.
“Nagtatawag na daw ang mga staff ni Charise sa mga chief of staff ng mga congressman na bumoto para sa impeachment kung hindi ay tatanggalin ang buong GAA ng kanilang distrito. Ibig sabihin, lahat kasama yung mga pondo para sa patubig, paaralan, tulay, kalsada at iba pang kailangan lalo sa mga probinsyang hirap na hirap. Bukod dito, pati daw pondo para sana sa mga social services, walang ibibigay,” he said.
He warned that such actions, if true, would mean ordinary Filipinos—not politicians—would bear the consequences.
“Tao ang gusto parusahan para lang sa desperate attempt nila na mawala ang kalaban sa pulitika. Anong kinakatakot ninyo?” he added.
Duterte went on to describe the alleged actions as a form of coercion, saying they undermine democratic processes.
“What we are seeing now under the bangag leadership is not politics as usual—this is outright coercion.”
He further stressed in Cebuano:
“Kung tinuod man nga ginapanghadlok ang mga congressman nga tanggalan og pondo ang ilang distrito kung dili sila musunod sa impeachment line, klaro kaayo—dili na ni demokrasya. Kini usa ka political blackmail.”
The lawmaker emphasized that the national budget should not be used as a political tool.
“The national budget is not a weapon. Hindi ito panakot. Hindi ito ginagamit para pilitin ang mga halal na kinatawan na sumunod sa gusto ng iilan. Uulitin ko, tao ang paparusahan ninyo para sa mga ambitions ninyo,” he said.
He also underscored that district funds are intended for public welfare and not for political leverage.
“Ang pondo sa distrito, para sa katawhan na. Dili na personal na kwarta sa kung kinsa ang naa sa liderato.”
Calling for transparency, Duterte said that if the case for impeachment is strong, it should stand on evidence alone.
“If leadership is confident in its case, then let the evidence speak—not threats, not pressure, and certainly not the hostage-taking of public funds.”
He framed the issue as a broader struggle beyond politics, suggesting it reflects a deeper fight over control.
“Klaro na karon kung unsa gyud ni—dili ni laban para sa hustisya. Laban ni para sa kontrol.”
Duterte also vowed resistance against what he described as intimidation tactics.
“Hindi kami uurong. Hindi kami matatakot. Dili mi magpa-ilad. We will stand our ground—not for politics—but for the Filipino people who entrusted us with their voice.”
He ended his statement by urging the public to stay vigilant, warning that government funds meant for communities could be used as leverage in political disputes.
“At sa katawhan, bantayi ninyo kini. Kay kung ang pondo sa inyong distrito mahimong bargaining chip, kamo mismo ang gihimong hostage sa ilang politika gamit ang inyung kaugalingong kwarta…”
In a strongly worded statement, Duterte said reports have reached him that certain congressional staff are allegedly contacting chiefs of staff of lawmakers, warning that districts could lose their allocations under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) if they do not support the impeachment push.
According to Duterte, the supposed threats go beyond political maneuvering and could directly affect essential public services.
“Nagtatawag na daw ang mga staff ni Charise sa mga chief of staff ng mga congressman na bumoto para sa impeachment kung hindi ay tatanggalin ang buong GAA ng kanilang distrito. Ibig sabihin, lahat kasama yung mga pondo para sa patubig, paaralan, tulay, kalsada at iba pang kailangan lalo sa mga probinsyang hirap na hirap. Bukod dito, pati daw pondo para sana sa mga social services, walang ibibigay,” he said.
He warned that such actions, if true, would mean ordinary Filipinos—not politicians—would bear the consequences.
“Tao ang gusto parusahan para lang sa desperate attempt nila na mawala ang kalaban sa pulitika. Anong kinakatakot ninyo?” he added.
Duterte went on to describe the alleged actions as a form of coercion, saying they undermine democratic processes.
“What we are seeing now under the bangag leadership is not politics as usual—this is outright coercion.”
He further stressed in Cebuano:
“Kung tinuod man nga ginapanghadlok ang mga congressman nga tanggalan og pondo ang ilang distrito kung dili sila musunod sa impeachment line, klaro kaayo—dili na ni demokrasya. Kini usa ka political blackmail.”
The lawmaker emphasized that the national budget should not be used as a political tool.
“The national budget is not a weapon. Hindi ito panakot. Hindi ito ginagamit para pilitin ang mga halal na kinatawan na sumunod sa gusto ng iilan. Uulitin ko, tao ang paparusahan ninyo para sa mga ambitions ninyo,” he said.
He also underscored that district funds are intended for public welfare and not for political leverage.
“Ang pondo sa distrito, para sa katawhan na. Dili na personal na kwarta sa kung kinsa ang naa sa liderato.”
Calling for transparency, Duterte said that if the case for impeachment is strong, it should stand on evidence alone.
“If leadership is confident in its case, then let the evidence speak—not threats, not pressure, and certainly not the hostage-taking of public funds.”
He framed the issue as a broader struggle beyond politics, suggesting it reflects a deeper fight over control.
“Klaro na karon kung unsa gyud ni—dili ni laban para sa hustisya. Laban ni para sa kontrol.”
Duterte also vowed resistance against what he described as intimidation tactics.
“Hindi kami uurong. Hindi kami matatakot. Dili mi magpa-ilad. We will stand our ground—not for politics—but for the Filipino people who entrusted us with their voice.”
He ended his statement by urging the public to stay vigilant, warning that government funds meant for communities could be used as leverage in political disputes.
“At sa katawhan, bantayi ninyo kini. Kay kung ang pondo sa inyong distrito mahimong bargaining chip, kamo mismo ang gihimong hostage sa ilang politika gamit ang inyung kaugalingong kwarta…”
Apr 29, 2026
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