TACLOBAN CITY — Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre has dismissed allegations that lawmakers were bribed to support the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, calling the claims baseless and urging critics to present evidence.

In a press statement issued March 18, Acidre rejected accusations made by Toby Tiangco that members of the House of Representatives received funding allocations in exchange for backing the impeachment move.

“There was no bribe. There was no deal. There was no exchange,” Acidre said, stressing that his decision to support the complaint was based solely on evidence presented during congressional hearings.

The lawmaker said he personally attended hearings, reviewed documents, and listened to testimonies before signing the complaint, emphasizing that his position was guided by “conviction” rather than political considerations.

Acidre also revealed that he had supported Duterte during the 2022 elections, making his decision more difficult but, he said, necessary in light of the evidence.

“Leadership is not about loyalty to personalities—it is about fidelity to the truth,” he added.
He further described Tiangco’s allegations as “reckless and baseless,” warning that such claims undermine both the integrity of Congress and public trust.

Acidre also defended House leadership, including former Speaker Martin Romualdez, saying there was no instruction, inducement, or pressure to secure support for the impeachment through funding or favors.

He challenged those making the allegations to file proper cases and present evidence instead of issuing public accusations.

“If such a claim were true, the proper course is obvious: file the appropriate cases, present the evidence, and prove it in the proper forum,” he said.

Acidre also cautioned against attempts to divert attention from the issues surrounding the impeachment complaint, stressing the need to focus on accountability and due process.
According to him, committee hearings were conducted transparently, with witnesses and documents presented in accordance with established rules.

“To dismiss all of that as manipulated simply because one disagrees with the outcome is not a defense—it is an evasion,” he said.

He concluded by reiterating that the impeachment process must be decided based on evidence and the rule of law, not political rhetoric.

“The Filipino people deserve the truth. And the truth demands more than accusations—it demands proof,” Acidre said.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY —The provincial government of Northern Samar is stepping up efforts to
attract more visitors by promoting its key tourism destinations during the 11th Internation
al Travel Festival (ITF) 2026 held in Cebu City.

Through its Provincial Tourism Office, Northern Samar joined the three-day tourism expo held at the Water front Cebu City Hotel and Casino, which gathered travel destinations, tour operators, airlines, hospitality groups, and tourism stakeholders from across the Philippines and abroad. The province used the event to showcase its emerging tourist destinations, including its pristine beaches, island communities, eco-tourism attractions, and cultural heritage sites, as part of efforts to strengthen its presence in the country’s
tourism market.

Tourism officials said participating in the travel fair also aims to tap into the large tourism mar ket of Cebu, one of the country’s busiest travel gateways, and encourage travelers arriving there to extend their trips to Northern Samar.

During the opening ceremony, Pamela Baricuatro welcomed exhibitors and participants and expressed support for collaborative efforts among destinations to further strengthen the Philippine tourism industry.

Connectivity between Northern Samar and Cebu has also improved with direct flights operated by Philippine Airlines linking Catarman National Airport and Mactan–Cebu International Airport, significantly reducing travel time for both domestic and international travelers.

Provincial tourism officials said Northern Samar’s participation in the international travel fair forms part of its broader strategy to promote the province as an emerging tourism destination in Eastern Visayas while forging partnerships that could help bring more
visitors to the province.

ROEL T. AMAZONA