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Khonghun Tells VP Sara: Face Impeachment Issues Head-On
Photo credit: Congress PH
Deputy Speaker Jay Khonghun on Friday called on Vice President Sara Duterte to directly answer the allegations raised in her impeachment case instead of shifting public attention to other political controversies.
Khonghun said Duterte has every right to defend herself and criticize political opponents, but stressed that the impeachment proceedings should remain centered on the evidence and issues formally raised before Congress.
“May karapatan si VP Sara na magsalita at ipagtanggol ang sarili niya. Pero kung impeachment ang pinag-uusapan, ang mas makabubuti ay sagutin niya ang mga alegasyon at ebidensya sa tamang forum, sa lugar na inilatag ng constitutional processes,” Khonghun said.
The Zambales lawmaker issued the statement after Duterte, during an ambush interview in The Hague, challenged former Speaker of the House Martin Romualdez and former congressman Zaldy Co to tell the truth regarding alleged irregularities tied to flood control projects.
Khonghun argued that any questions surrounding flood control anomalies should be handled separately by the proper investigative bodies, while the impeachment complaint should move forward under constitutional procedures.
“Kung may dapat imbestigahan sa flood control projects, hayaan natin ang tamang institusyon na gawin ang trabaho nila,” Khonghun said.
“Pero hindi rin dapat matabunan ang impeachment case dahil iba ang proseso niyan, iba ang ebidensiya at iba ang pananagutang kailangang harapin,” he added.
The deputy speaker also pointed out that the House Committee on Justice earlier found probable cause to impeach Duterte after reviewing documentary evidence and testimonies presented during hearings.
Among the issues cited in the Articles of Impeachment were the alleged misuse and questionable liquidation of ₱612.5 million in confidential and intelligence funds, alleged discrepancies in Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), and billions worth of transactions reportedly flagged by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).
The complaint also referenced the alleged threat against President Bongbong Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Romualdez.
However, one of the financial allegations recently faced questions after lawyer Peter Paul Danao, speaking for the camp of Atty. Manases Carpio, said Bank of the Philippine Islands clarified that the reported “₱2 billion” amount involved in one issue was actually only “₱2 million,” which was allegedly caused by a “system glitch.”
The House justice panel later voted 55-0 in approving the committee report and Articles of Impeachment for transmission to the plenary.
The House of Representatives is expected to take up the matter on May 11, where at least one-third of lawmakers must vote in favor for the impeachment case to be elevated to the Senate for trial.
“Ang hinihingi ng publiko ngayon ay malinaw na paliwanag sa mga isyung nasa Articles of Impeachment,” Khonghun stressed.
“Mas makabubuti sa bansa kung ang usapan ay manatili sa records, evidence at constitutional process, dahil doon masusukat ang pananagutan ng sinumang mataas na opisyal,” he added.
Khonghun said Duterte has every right to defend herself and criticize political opponents, but stressed that the impeachment proceedings should remain centered on the evidence and issues formally raised before Congress.
“May karapatan si VP Sara na magsalita at ipagtanggol ang sarili niya. Pero kung impeachment ang pinag-uusapan, ang mas makabubuti ay sagutin niya ang mga alegasyon at ebidensya sa tamang forum, sa lugar na inilatag ng constitutional processes,” Khonghun said.
The Zambales lawmaker issued the statement after Duterte, during an ambush interview in The Hague, challenged former Speaker of the House Martin Romualdez and former congressman Zaldy Co to tell the truth regarding alleged irregularities tied to flood control projects.
Khonghun argued that any questions surrounding flood control anomalies should be handled separately by the proper investigative bodies, while the impeachment complaint should move forward under constitutional procedures.
“Kung may dapat imbestigahan sa flood control projects, hayaan natin ang tamang institusyon na gawin ang trabaho nila,” Khonghun said.
“Pero hindi rin dapat matabunan ang impeachment case dahil iba ang proseso niyan, iba ang ebidensiya at iba ang pananagutang kailangang harapin,” he added.
The deputy speaker also pointed out that the House Committee on Justice earlier found probable cause to impeach Duterte after reviewing documentary evidence and testimonies presented during hearings.
Among the issues cited in the Articles of Impeachment were the alleged misuse and questionable liquidation of ₱612.5 million in confidential and intelligence funds, alleged discrepancies in Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), and billions worth of transactions reportedly flagged by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).
The complaint also referenced the alleged threat against President Bongbong Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Romualdez.
However, one of the financial allegations recently faced questions after lawyer Peter Paul Danao, speaking for the camp of Atty. Manases Carpio, said Bank of the Philippine Islands clarified that the reported “₱2 billion” amount involved in one issue was actually only “₱2 million,” which was allegedly caused by a “system glitch.”
The House justice panel later voted 55-0 in approving the committee report and Articles of Impeachment for transmission to the plenary.
The House of Representatives is expected to take up the matter on May 11, where at least one-third of lawmakers must vote in favor for the impeachment case to be elevated to the Senate for trial.
“Ang hinihingi ng publiko ngayon ay malinaw na paliwanag sa mga isyung nasa Articles of Impeachment,” Khonghun stressed.
“Mas makabubuti sa bansa kung ang usapan ay manatili sa records, evidence at constitutional process, dahil doon masusukat ang pananagutan ng sinumang mataas na opisyal,” he added.
May 8, 2026
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