By Omar Fernando

Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte has taken a stand that echoes the sentiments of many as he denounces the impeachment complaint filed against Vice President Sara Duterte, which he said is a “desperate and politically motivated" attack.

“I am appalled and enraged by the desperate and politically motivated efforts to railroad the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte,” he said Wednesday.

The statement of the vice presidential brother came immediately after 215 members of the House of Representatives signed onto the complaint, thrusting the issue into a whirlwind of controversy just as four impeachment complaints made their way to the Senate floor on Wednesday afternoon.

The young Duterte labeled the move as “sinister maneuvering’ naming Rep. Janette Garin of Iloilo’s 1st District as the one who hastily collected the signatures and pushed for the immediate approval and transmittal of the impeachment complaint to the Senate.

The move, he added, is a clear act of political persecution.

“This administration is treading on dangerous ground. If they were unfazed by the over one million rallying supporters of the Iglesia Ni Cristo, then they are blindly marching toward an even greater storm—one that could shake the very foundation of their rule,” Duterte said.

The Filipino people, he added, “will not sit idly by as this government undermines democracy and silences opposition through fabricated accusations.”

The Marcos administration, he said, is gravely mistaken in thinking that the impeachment will hold no consequences.

“This is not just about VP Sara Duterte—this is about the will of the Filipino people. The growing discontent and frustration across the country will not be contained for long. Mark my words: this reckless abuse of power will not end in their favor,” he added.

The impeachment complaint against the Vice President is based on four distinct allegations, the fourth of which lawmakers initiated.

The initial three complaints concern the alleged misuse of public funds by the Office of the Vice President.

The Senate received the articles of impeachment, however, it has concluded its session without addressing them and  is set to reconvene on June 2.