Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte criticized the expedited process of the impeachment of his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte, calling it a desperate and politically motivated effort.
Shortly after the House of Representatives finalized its decision regarding the impeachment, Rep. Duterte expressed being "enraged" over the developments in the proceedings in a Facebook post on Wednesday.
"I am appalled and enraged by the desperate and politically motivated efforts to railroad the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte," Rep. Duterte said.
The House of Representatives, with 215 lawmakers signing the impeachment complaints, has approved the measure, surpassing the necessary 102 votes to send the complaints to the Senate.
From there, the Senate will hold a trial to determine if Duterte should be removed from office.
Rep. Duterte accused his fellow lawmakers of rushing the impeachment process, pointing to Rep. Janette Garin, who he claimed was leading the hasty collection of signatures and pushing for the swift approval and transmission of the case.
"The sinister maneuvering of certain lawmakers, led by Rep. Garin, to hastily collect signatures and push for the immediate approval and transmittal of this baseless impeachment case is a clear act of political persecution," said Rep. Duterte.
He further warned of the potential consequences for the administration, stating that it is "treading on dangerous ground."
The Vice President's brother stated, "If they were unmoved by the over one million supporters of the Iglesia Ni Cristo rallying in opposition, then they are blindly heading toward an even greater storm—one that could threaten the very foundation of their rule."
Rep. Duterte stressed that the Filipino people will not stand by silently while the government undermines democracy and suppresses opposition through "fabricated accusations."
Previously, the Iglesia Ni Cristo (INC) organized the National Rally for Peace, where members of the religious group expressed their support for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s stance against proceeding with the impeachment complaints against the Vice President.
"If the Marcos administration thinks it can push this sham impeachment without consequence, they are gravely mistaken," he added.
Ultimately, Rep. Duterte asserted that the issue is not about Vice President Duterte, but about the will of the Filipino people. He further emphasized that the rising discontent and frustration across the country cannot be contained for much longer.
"Mark my words: this reckless abuse of power will not end in their favor," he said in closing.
Meanwhile, the impeachment complaint against Vice President Duterte has been accepted by the Senate through Senate Secretary Atty. Renato Bantug Jr., who received it from House Secretary General Atty. Reginald Velasco.
