DEPUTY Speaker David “Jayjay” Suarez on Friday dismissed claims of political backlash over the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, pointing out that 86 percent of lawmakers who signed the complaint were reelected – clear proof, he said, that the public stood behind the decision.
“Well, unang-una kung titingnan po natin ‘yung winning rate ng mga congressmen na pumirma sa impeachment, I think that was at 86%,” Suarez said.
“Sila po talaga ‘yung dapat makaramdam kung meron man,” he said.
Suarez was reacting to statements made by Alyansa campaign manager and Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco, who earlier claimed that the impeachment negatively impacted the administration slate in Mindanao and suggested that lawmakers were pressured to support the constitutional accountability mechanism.
But Suarez rejected any suggestion that the signatures were obtained through pressure or backroom deals, insisting that the lawmakers acted of their own free will.
“There’s no truth to that allegation, there’s no truth to that matter,” Suarez said.
“No one was forced, no one was, how do you say it, asked to sign. And everybody signed the impeachment based on their own volition,” Suarez added.
“Well, I do respect the opinions of Cong. Toby Tiangco with regard to the matter, although I do not subscribe to it,” Suarez said.
He acknowledged that Tiangco, as campaign manager, may have had a different perspective shaped by on-the-ground realities during the campaign.
“Pero siyempre bilang isang campaign manager, siguro nakikita niya ‘yung terrain, mas nauunawaan niya ‘yun,” Suarez added.
Suarez did not elaborate further but subtly affirmed that each member of the House who signed the impeachment complaint did so based on their judgment and understanding of their constitutional duty.
“I’ll just leave it at that,” Suarez said.
“And I do respect his opinion regarding the matter.”
