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. 鈥擫yn Rillon
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Speaker Martin Romualdez on Monday condemned Vice President Sara Duterte鈥檚 admission of having contracted an assassin to target him, President Marcos, and first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.
鈥淪uch a statement is not just reckless鈥攊t is dangerous. It sends a chilling message to our people, a message that violence can be contemplated by those in positions of power,鈥� Romualdez said during Monday鈥檚 plenary session.
The pronouncements, he said, were 鈥渁n attack on the very foundation of our government鈥� and an insult to all Filipinos.
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鈥淲e 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,鈥� the Speaker said.
鈥淭he 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,鈥� he added.
The Speaker dismissed as 鈥渦nfounded and baseless鈥� and a 鈥渄esperate attempt to distract from the real issues鈥� Duterte鈥檚 accusations that he was posturing for the 2028 elections and was plotting to destroy her.
鈥淭hese 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,鈥� he said.
鈥楾ruth is resilient鈥�
Romualdez maintained that Duterte鈥檚 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.
鈥淎ccountability 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,鈥� the Speaker said.
He noted 鈥渁ttempts to shift the narrative, to create distractions, and to fabricate stories鈥� instead of clarifying the issues.
鈥淟et me remind everyone: the truth is resilient. No amount of noise can drown it out,鈥� he said.
He also referred to Duterte鈥檚 seeming attempt to take over the House during the weekend. 鈥淒isrespect for the protocols, security measures, and leadership of this institution is not just a breach of rules鈥攊t is a breach of trust.鈥�
Romualdez rallied House members to defend the sanctity of the institution and the 鈥渆mbodiment of the people鈥檚 will and its dignity.鈥�
During Monday鈥檚 plenary session, the chamber adopted House Resolution No. 2092 expressing unwavering and unqualified support and solidarity to the President and the Speaker 鈥渋n 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.鈥�