Jamayka Rhose Pascual

Vice president Sara Duterte has accused House speaker Martin Romualdez of being implicated in a bribery case, intensifying the political feud between the two.

Photo Courtesy of OVP Media/BusinessWorld Online.

In an online press conference on November 22, Duterte questioned Romualdez’s credibility as a House speaker, citing his alleged involvement in a bribery case.

She then added that such allegations lessen Romualdez’s moral authority to demand accountability from her over her use of confidential funds in both the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education.

Duterte also criticized Romualdez for his lack of respect for constitutional processes when conducting congressional hearings.

The vice president also accused lawmakers of only making up rules during hearings, prompting her to challenge the constitutionality of the hearings before the Supreme Court.

“Ginagawan nila ng rules as they go along. Wala silang pagrespeto sa Constitution na dapat sumusunod sa Constitution,” she stated.

Duterte also refused to attend hearings, stating that she would not do so because she neither trusted nor voted for Romualdez as a House speaker and a congressman.

“I did not vote for him as a speaker of the House of Representatives…so ‘wag niya akong pagsabihan kung ano ‘yung dapat kong gawin,” she said.

Adding to the tension, Duterte claimed Romualdez wants her dead, further labeling him as her only security threat.

Duterte also refused to leave her brother, rep. Paolo Duterte’s office at the House of Representatives despite receiving warnings from the House Sergeant-At-Arms.

“Sabi ko sir, isa lang naman may gustong pumatay sa akin, si Martin Romualdez. And I don’t think gagawing niya ‘yan dito sa loob ng House of Representatives, gagawin niya ‘yan dito sa labas,” Duterte claimed.

She then alleged that her judgment of Romualdez was caused by their time campaigning together, where she observed his “baggage and insecurities.”

“And I am no psychologist, but that man has so much baggage and insecurities a buhay niya,” Duterte added.