Vice President Sara Duterte's assertion that government officials are consumed by politics is utterly false.

Thus, said solon-prosecutor Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon on Friday, July 10, even as the tit-for-tat between the two parties in Duterte’s Senate impeachment trial intensifies.

“Hindi rin naman po ito totoo (This isn't true),” Ridon said during a press briefing at the House of Representatives.

He was reacting to Duterte’s call for government officials to stop advancing their own political interests and instead focus on maintaining peace and order, improving the economy and delivering better services to the Filipino people.

Ridon said it was inaccurate to portray the government as being preoccupied with politics, pointing to ongoing efforts to address the country’s economic concerns.

He said the government continues to implement programs aimed at improving the lives of ordinary Filipinos, including initiatives to increase wages in various regions and ensure that economic growth benefits more households.

“Marami pong iba’t ibang interventions na ginagawa ng pamahalaan para tutukan ang iba’t ibang mga pang-ekonomikong usapin na kinakaharap ng ating bayan,” Ridon said.

(There are many different interventions being carried out by the government to address the various economic issues our nation is facing.)

The lawyer-solon said the government continues to pursue initiatives to increase wages across various regions and ensure that the benefits of the country’s transition to upper middle-income status are felt by ordinary Filipinos.

“Hindi po totoo na consumed by politics lang po ‘yung ginagawa ng ating pamahalaan. May aktwal na pagtugon doon sa mga batayang usapin at tingin ko nakatutok po yung pamahalaan sa mga bagay po na ito,” Ridon added.

(It is not true that our government is only consumed by politics. There is actual action being taken on fundamental concerns, and I believe the government is focused on these matters.)

Another solon-prosecutor, Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua circled back to the issue pf the impeachment trial and reminded Filipinos that the respondent Duterte have yet to join the proceedings.

Chua says the people have been waiting for the Vice President to directly answer the issues raised against her and yet all she does is accuse the government of politicking.

“Matagal nang nag-aantay ang ating mga kababayan na maging mas maayos itong bansa. Matagal na rin pong nag-aantay ang ating mga kababayan na sagutin niya ang issue kung sino si Mary Grace Piattos,” he said.

(Our people have long been waiting for this country to become better. They have also long been waiting for him to answer the issue of who Mary Grace Piattos.)

The Manila lawmaker also challenged Duterte to explain the P6.7-billion transaction cited in the records of the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).

“Matagal na rin pong nag-aantay ang ating mga kababayan sa sagot niya kung saan po nanggaling ‘yung transaction na nagkakahalaga ng P6.7 billion na inilabas po ng AMLC. ’Yan po muna ang sagutin niya bago po siya magsabi na kami ay namumulitika lamang,” Chua said.

(Our people have also long been waiting for his answer on where the P6.7 billion transaction disclosed by the AMLC came from. He should address that first before saying that we are merely politicking.)