DAVAO CITY — First District Representative Paolo "Pulong" Duterte has raised serious doubts about the recently filed impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., calling it a calculated political maneuver designed to protect, not prosecute, the Chief Executive.
A 'Scripted Diversion' to Sideline Real Issues
In a statement on Monday, January 19, 2026, the Davao City congressman branded the impeachment effort a "scripted diversion." He warned that its true purpose could be to shield President Marcos from authentic accountability while drawing attention away from unresolved corruption scandals, particularly those involving multi-billion peso flood control projects.
"Pastilan. Ang kalibutan gamay ra kaayo," Duterte remarked, highlighting a curious connection. He pointed out that the lawyer who prepared the impeachment complaint, which was endorsed by Pusong Pinoy party-list Representative Jett Nisay, is the same legal counsel representing First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos in a disbarment case against former Biliran representative Glenn Chong.
For Duterte, this overlap is not a coincidence but a red flag. It casts doubt on whether the impeachment filing is a sincere attempt to hold the President accountable or part of a broader "political choreography" meant to generate noise instead of justice.
The Strategic Danger of a Weak Impeachment Case
Duterte's core argument hinges on a critical constitutional rule: only one impeachment case can proceed against an official within a single year. He asserted that a strategically filed, weak complaint could act as a legal shield.
"Alam naman natin na iisang impeachment complaint lamang ang pwedeng ma-file laban sa isang impeachable official… mga impeachment cases na ganito ay walang ibang purpose kundi ang idepensa ang isang impeachable official," Duterte explained.
He stressed that if this complaint is dismissed by the House of Representatives, a full year must pass before a new, potentially more substantive petition can be filed. This, he said, is the real peril—using the impeachment process itself to delay or derail genuine efforts to uncover the truth.
Shifting Focus Back to Corruption and Flood Funds
The lawmaker then redirected criticism toward the administration's handling of corruption allegations in public infrastructure. He cited the ongoing problem of severe flooding nationwide despite the allocation of enormous budgets for flood control.
"Kung seryoso kayo sa corruption, doon kayo sa may ebidensya. Kung seryoso kayo sa accountability, doon kayo sa may pera ng bayan na nawala," Duterte challenged. He claimed that documents, names, and patterns of irregularities have long been available, yet meaningful investigations and actions remain conspicuously absent.
He described the current political climate as one that prioritizes spectacle over substance, repeatedly redirecting public attention from concrete issues involving missing public funds.
The impeachment complaint, filed by lawyer Andre de Jesus and endorsed by Rep. Nisay on January 19, accuses President Marcos of various offenses. These include his alleged role in the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte via an ICC warrant, alleged drug use, and involvement in public works corruption and national budget irregularities.
Malacañang has stated it trusts Congress to handle the complaint following the rule of law, assuring that government services will continue uninterrupted. This marks the first formal impeachment petition against President Marcos in 2026.
Duterte concluded by warning that unless efforts for accountability are firmly rooted in evidence and public interest, impeachment will remain nothing more than a political performance—one that ultimately protects those in power rather than challenging them.
