Manila: Members of the House of Representatives prosecution panel on Friday rejected Vice President Sara Z. Duterte's claim that officials have been consumed by politics, saying the government continues to address economic and public service priorities even as her impeachment trial proceeds before the Senate.
According to Philippines News Agency, Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon stated it was inaccurate to portray the government as preoccupied with politics, emphasizing ongoing efforts to tackle economic challenges. The prosecutors were responding to Duterte's call for government officials to stop pursuing political interests and instead focus on peace and order, the economy, and public services.
'Hindi rin naman po ito totoo (This is also not true),' Ridon said during a press briefing, asserting that the government continues to implement programs aimed at improving the lives of Filipinos. These initiatives include efforts to raise wages across various regions and ensure that economic growth benefits more households.
Ridon highlighted that the government is undertaking numerous interventions to address the diverse economic issues facing the country. 'Marami pong iba't ibang interventions na ginagawa ng pamahalaan para tutukan ang iba't ibang mga pang-ekonomikong usapin na kinakaharap ng ating bayan (There are various interventions being done by the government to focus on different economic issues being encountered by our country),' he added.
He further stressed that the government is working to ensure that the advantages of transitioning to an upper middle-income status are felt by ordinary Filipinos. 'Hindi po totoo na consumed by politics lang po 'yung ginagawa ng ating pamahalaan. May aktwal na pagtugon doon sa mga batayang usapin at tingin ko nakatutok po 'yung pamahalaan sa mga bagay po na ito (It is not true that our government is consumed by politics. There is an actual response to basic issues and in my view, the government is focused on these things),' he said.
Additionally, Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua remarked that Filipinos have long awaited Duterte's direct response to the allegations against her, rather than accusing the government of politicking. He also challenged Duterte to clarify the PHP6.7-billion transaction mentioned in records released by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).
"Matagal na rin pong nag-aantay ang ating mga kababayan sa sagot niya kung saan po nanggaling 'yung transaction na nagkakahalaga ng PHP6.7 billion na inilabas po ng AMLC. 'Yan po muna ang sagutin niya bago po siya magsabi na kami ay namumulitika lamang (Our countrymen for a long time have been waiting for her answer on where those transactions amounting to PHP6.7 billion released by the AMLC came from. She should answer that first before accusing us of politicking),' Chua said.
