VOW Speaker Martin Romualdez, in a speech during the plenary session of the House of Representatives on Monday, vows to protect the dignity of the institution. —Lyn Rillon
MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Martin Romualdez on Monday condemned Vice President Sara Duterte’s admission of having contracted an assassin to target him, President Marcos, and first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.
“Such a statement is not just reckless—it is dangerous. It sends a chilling message to our people, a message that violence can be contemplated by those in positions of power,” Romualdez said during Monday’s plenary session.
The pronouncements, he said, were “an attack on the very foundation of our government” and an insult to all Filipinos.
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“We cannot let this pass as mere rhetoric. The gravity of such a confession demands accountability. It demands answers. It demands that we, as the representatives of the Filipino people, take a stand to protect our democracy from any and all forms of threats,” the Speaker said.
“The actions of the Vice President will go down the annals of history like a nightmare that will haunt our people for generations, and this House will do whatever we can to protect the dignity of this institution and the 100 million Filipinos we represent,” he added.
The Speaker dismissed as “unfounded and baseless” and a “desperate attempt to distract from the real issues” Duterte’s accusations that he was posturing for the 2028 elections and was plotting to destroy her.
“These unfounded accusations are not just about me. They are an affront to the House of Representatives. They are an attempt to erode public trust in this institution, to sow division, and to create chaos. We choose unity over division, dialogue over conflict, and cooperation over confrontation,” he said.
‘Truth is resilient’
Romualdez maintained that Duterte’s statements were intended to divert public attention from her alleged misuse of public funds in the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education during her tenure as secretary.
“Accountability is not optional. Transparency is not negotiable. Those entrusted with public funds must be prepared to explain where it was disbursed, and how these resources were utilized,” the Speaker said.
He noted “attempts to shift the narrative, to create distractions, and to fabricate stories” instead of clarifying the issues.
“Let me remind everyone: the truth is resilient. No amount of noise can drown it out,” he said.
He also referred to Duterte’s seeming attempt to take over the House during the weekend. “Disrespect for the protocols, security measures, and leadership of this institution is not just a breach of rules—it is a breach of trust.”
Romualdez rallied House members to defend the sanctity of the institution and the “embodiment of the people’s will, and its dignity.”
During Monday’s plenary session, the chamber adopted House Resolution No. 2092 expressing unwavering and unqualified support and solidarity to the President and the Speaker “in the face of serious and dangerous remarks and defiant acts that threaten the very foundation of democratic governance, rule of law, and public trust and integrity of government institutions.”