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Defensor Rejects Claims House Members Were Paid To Impeach VP Sara
Photo credit: Lorenz Defensor
House Senior Deputy Majority Leader Lorenz Defensor firmly denied allegations that lawmakers were offered additional funding in exchange for voting to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte during Monday’s historic House session.
The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to impeach Duterte, with 257 out of 318 lawmakers supporting the move.
During the plenary session, Defensor addressed accusations that members of the House who voted in favor of the impeachment would supposedly receive P20 million.
“Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the House, we categorically deny any such allegations,” Defensor said.
The issue was raised by Batangas Rep. Leandro Legarda-Leviste, who questioned reports that lawmakers backing the impeachment would be rewarded with public funds. However, he did not present any evidence to support the claim.
“It should at least be fair that everyone who votes gets P20 million, and those who do not vote hopefully should also be given that, because this is taxpayers' money and should not be allocated on the basis of your vote on the impeachment,” Leviste said.
Defensor immediately rejected the allegation and maintained that no such arrangement existed.
The controversy came after Sen. Imee Marcos earlier made a similar accusation regarding the impeachment proceedings, also without presenting proof.
Her remarks prompted a strong response from Tingog Sinirangan Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre, who challenged the senator to back up her claims with evidence.
“Kung may ebidensiya si Senadora Imee, ilabas niya ang resibo. Pangalanan niya ang tumanggap, pangalanan niya ang nag-alok, at magsampa siya ng kaso. Kung wala, tigilan niya ang diversion at paninira sa buong Kamara,” Acidre said.
He added that both the Senate and House are co-equal branches of Congress and that serious accusations should not be made without proof.
The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to impeach Duterte, with 257 out of 318 lawmakers supporting the move.
During the plenary session, Defensor addressed accusations that members of the House who voted in favor of the impeachment would supposedly receive P20 million.
“Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the House, we categorically deny any such allegations,” Defensor said.
The issue was raised by Batangas Rep. Leandro Legarda-Leviste, who questioned reports that lawmakers backing the impeachment would be rewarded with public funds. However, he did not present any evidence to support the claim.
“It should at least be fair that everyone who votes gets P20 million, and those who do not vote hopefully should also be given that, because this is taxpayers' money and should not be allocated on the basis of your vote on the impeachment,” Leviste said.
Defensor immediately rejected the allegation and maintained that no such arrangement existed.
The controversy came after Sen. Imee Marcos earlier made a similar accusation regarding the impeachment proceedings, also without presenting proof.
Her remarks prompted a strong response from Tingog Sinirangan Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre, who challenged the senator to back up her claims with evidence.
“Kung may ebidensiya si Senadora Imee, ilabas niya ang resibo. Pangalanan niya ang tumanggap, pangalanan niya ang nag-alok, at magsampa siya ng kaso. Kung wala, tigilan niya ang diversion at paninira sa buong Kamara,” Acidre said.
He added that both the Senate and House are co-equal branches of Congress and that serious accusations should not be made without proof.
May 12, 2026
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