Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre called out Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero on Thursday, Aug. 7 for insinuating that "political ambitions" influenced the House of Representatives' pursuit of the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.

“These are dangerous statements that cross a line. Tama na ang parinigan o intrigahan. Alam naman nating lahat na this is about accountability, not ambition (Enough with the indirect jabs and intrigue. We all know this is about accountability, not ambition)," Acidre said in a statement.

"The Speaker (Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez) presided over a constitutional process, not a political operation,” the second-term solon pointed out.

Acidre was essentially responding to Escudero’s remarks as the latter voted "yes" to a motion in the Senate plenary Wednesday night, Aug. 6 to "archive" the impeachment rap against the Vice President.

The lawmaker emphasized that the House, through a vote of 215 members, fulfilled its constitutional duty to transmit the verified articles of impeachment to the Senate. He said that such move cannot be reduced to personal politics.

“When over 200 members vote in favor of impeachment, that’s not just one man’s decision. That’s the House speaking as an institution. Calling it a political maneuver is not only unfair, napaka-misleading nito (this is very misleading),” he added.

The Senate upheld the motion to archive the impeachment complaint via nominal vote result of 19-4-1 (yes-no-abstain).

Acidre stressed that the issues raised in the impeachment complaint are rooted in public concern, particularly the Vice President’s alleged misuse of P612.5 million worth of confidential funds.

“Nag-umpisa ito dahil may tanong ang taumbayan. Hindi ito tungkol sa 2028 o kung sino ang gusto sa puwesto (This began because the people asked a question. This isn't about 2028 or whoever is covering the post). Let’s not insult the intelligence of our people,” Acidre said.

The next presidential race will take place in May 2028. Recently, Vice President Duterte had called herself the "frontrunner" of the upcoming elections.

Quad-committee (quad-comm) overall chairman, Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido "Benny" Abante Jr. echoed Acidre's assertions.

“The impeachment process is not about 2028. It is about whether public funds were used during a time when no legal mandate had yet been conferred to an office. That is a clear question of constitutional integrity—not political ambition,” he said in a separate statement.

Abante also took issue with how some senators appeared to dismiss the complaint as politically motivated without addressing the substance of the allegations.

“Impeachment is not a political circus. It is a constitutional mechanism designed to hold high officials accountable. When we reduce it to mere political noise, we erode the very institutions we swore to uphold,” he said.

He underscored that the House of Representatives followed due process and acted within its constitutional authority when it transmitted the complaint to the Senate.

“The House did not weaponize impeachment—we exercised it in accordance with the Constitution. The question before us was not ‘Who wants to run in 2028?’ but ‘Were public funds used in a manner that requires accountability?’” Abante asked.