SAGIP Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta said he would represent Vice President Sara Duterte if the impeachment proceedings progress.
“Subukan ninyo i-impeach ang vice president, I will suggest to her that she should engage me as her defense counsel,” Marcoleta said.
Marcoleta, who is also gunning for a seat in the Senate as an independent candidate, graced the Christmas 2024 Caravan and Meet and Greet hosted by Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) on Sunday, Dec. 8.
The congressman added the quad comm hearing for the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) has a political agenda and is not in aid of legislation.
“If you are honest, and trying to enact a particular law, kasi inquiry, in aid of legislation, there are more than 400 offices and agencies of the government beneficiaries of confidential funds, bakit ang opisina lang ng vice president ang ating iniimbestigahan, kung talagang hindi kayo namumulitika,” he stressed.
He added only the Commission on Audit is mandated to examine public funds. Marcoleta also linked his removal from the committee on justice to the alleged plan to impeach the vice president since it removes his power to vote.
To note, the House kicked out Marcoleta as the vice-chairman of the committee on justice and as a member of the commission on appointments, committees on energy, justice, public accounts, and constitutional amendments.
The solon stressed the House and the Senate have been ignoring the real issues of the country.
“Papano puro quad comm na lang, lahat ng panahon, lahat ng atensyon, binigay sa quad comm. Wala ng panahon para dinggin yung mga panukalang batas na makakabuti sa tao,” he added.
Marcoleta added the impeachment complaint has no basis as the audit is ongoing and is still “tentative, contestable, and appealable.”
Former president Rodrigo Duterte endorsed Marcoleta for senator. The solon ran for senator in 2022 but withdrew his COC and returned to the House as a substitute nominee for Sagip Party-list.
