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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Mindanao devider Rep. Paolo Duterte: Impeachment diverts public attention from corruption cases

Rep. Paolo Duterte: Impeachment diverts public attention from corruption cases

Published Jan 20, 2026 10:07 pm
DUTERTE
DUTERTE
DAVAO CITY – Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte accused political institutions of selectively enforcing accountability, alleging that an impeachment case is being used only to divert public attention from unresolved corruption cases involving influential individuals and political allies.
In a statement on Tuesday evening, Jan. 20, Duterte said the public is being “drowned” in what he described as a weak impeachment effort while alleged scandals involving “power, money, and blood ties” are kept beyond scrutiny.
“Why are they (former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.) permanently untouchable? Why does every investigation suddenly lose its spine the moment their names enter the room?” Duterte said.
He pointed to hearings conducted by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, where he said two witnesses testified that businessman Curlee Discaya had admitted to being the contractor of a mansion in Forbes Park in Makati City allegedly owned by the former House Speaker.
“The moment Discaya denied it, the Senate retreated,” the Davao lawmaker said, criticizing the committee for failing to conduct verification, issue subpoenas, or summon officials of the company officially listed as the property’s owner, despite having the authority.
Duterte raised concerns about alleged corruption in flood control projects, saying congressional allies, including the two he earlier named, have been repeatedly linked to the issue. He stressed that billions of pesos were allegedly lost even as flood-hit areas continue to suffer.
“This is no longer a coincidence. It is a pattern,” Duterte said, alleging that the political noise generated by impeachment efforts is meant to distract the public from large-scale corruption and protect an inner circle of allies.
He said that if accountability ends where family and allies begin, then what the public is witnessing is not democracy – it is power shielding itself from scrutiny. “The people are not blind. They know when they are being played. And they will remember who looked away,” he added.
“Hukman lang gihapon mo sa katawhan karong 2028 (The people will judge you in 2028),” Duterte said.

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Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte Impeachment
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