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)
