A senior House leader on Wednesday pushed back against bribery allegations directed at members of the House of Representatives, saying the same reasoning should also be applied to the sudden leadership change in the Senate that led to the ouster of Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.
Deputy Speaker and Zambales Rep. Jay Khonghun said the public has the right to ask difficult questions about the recent political realignment in the Upper Chamber, especially after some senators and political figures insinuated that House members were bribed in connection with impeachment proceedings.
“Kung susundin natin ang lohika ni Sen. Imee Marcos — na kapag bumoto ang isang mambabatas, ibig sabihin ay may kapalit na pera, proyekto, o pabor — then the same question must now be asked about the sudden coup in the Senate,” Khonghun said.
“How much did senators allegedly receive to remove Senate President Tito Sotto? What promises were made? What concessions were given? What projects were offered? Sino ang makikinabang?” he added.
Khonghun clarified that he was not accusing senators of wrongdoing, but was highlighting what he described as the dangerous and reckless logic being used against House members.
“Napakadaling magbato ng akusasyon kapag walang ebidensya ang kailangan. Kapag ang batayan na lang ay hinala, intriga, at conspiracy theory, then no democratic institution will survive,” he said.
The House leader said it was unfair for senators and political personalities to casually accuse congressmen of accepting bribes for impeachment votes while expecting restraint when discussing the Senate’s own internal political shifts.
“You cannot poison public discourse by normalizing baseless allegations against House members, then suddenly demand sobriety and restraint when political realignments happen inside the Senate,” the Zambales lawmaker said.
Khonghun maintained that House members voted based on their constitutional duty following months of hearings, sworn testimony, official documents, and committee proceedings.
“The vote in the House was not a karaoke contest, not a popularity survey, and certainly not an auction,” he said.
He warned that unsubstantiated bribery allegations could erode public trust in democratic institutions by creating the impression that every vote cast by elected officials is driven by money or political favors.
“Kapag bawat boto ng halal na opisyal ay inaakusahan agad na bayaran, ang tunay na sinisira ay demokrasya mismo. Ang mensahe sa taumbayan: wala nang prinsipyo, wala nang proseso, pera-pera na lang lahat. That is a reckless and cynical way to destroy institutions,” he said.
Khonghun urged political leaders to exercise greater responsibility in making public accusations, especially amid heightened political tensions.
“At the end of the day, accusations are easy. Evidence is hard. And in a democracy governed by law, evidence — not insinuation — must always prevail,” he said.