House prosecutors on Friday warned against what they described as a growing “culture of threats,” saying public officials must be held to a higher standard because their words and actions can shape the behavior of their supporters and influence younger generations.
The issue was raised after impeachment prosecutor and Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon was asked about an alleged social media threat made against him by a councilor, and whether threatening rhetoric has become increasingly normalized among some public officials and their supporters.
Ridon said the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte is not only about the alleged grave threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, but also about confronting a broader culture of intimidation.
“Ang totoo po dito, ang pinaprosecute po natin hindi po lang yung threats ng Pangulo. Ang pinaprosecute din po natin yung kultura ho ng pagbabanta,” Ridon said during a press briefing.
He said political leaders carry influence over their followers, making it important for those in power to be careful with their words and conduct.
“The followers follow the leader, hindi ho ba? So if the leader had made threats against the President, kahit ‘yung mga sumusunod ho sa kanila ay ganun din ang ginagawa, doon ho sa umuusig sa kanila pong leader,” Ridon said.
Ridon said authorities should pursue acts of intimidation with the same seriousness, whether they come from elected officials or their supporters.
“Very important nga na in the same manner na we are exacting high accountability on the VP for grave threats against the President and his family, dapat ganoon din kataas ‘yung sigasig natin doon sa paghahabol sa lahat ng gumagawa ng mga pagbabanta,” he said.
Manila Rep. Joel Chua, also a House prosecutor, said the impeachment proceedings seek to reinforce the standards expected of public officials, especially those holding the highest offices in government.
Chua said the allegation at the center of the impeachment trial is serious because it involves the country’s head of state.
“Ito pong pagbabanta na ginawa po, ito po ay hindi ordinaryong pagbabanta dahil ito pong pagbabantang ito ay pagbabanta sa head of the state. Ibig sabihin po, ito po ay pagbabanta sa Pangulo ng Republika ng Pilipinas na nagrepresenta sa ating bansa,” Chua said.
He said holding the Vice President accountable would send a message that threatening behavior has no place in public service.
“Kami po hindi lamang natin ito pinananagot dahil siya po ay Bise Presidente, pero gusto rin po natin ipakita sa mga bata at mga kababayan natin na ganito po ay mali po,” Chua said.
“Hindi po ito ang dapat na asal o inaasal ng mga tao lalong-lalo na po ‘yung mga nasa pinaka-matataas na posisyon sa ating lipunan dahil kung ganito po ang magiging asal, ano pa po ang puwedeng gayahin ng mga bata?” he added.
Deputy Speaker and Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin said the allegation before the Senate impeachment court should not be treated as ordinary political rhetoric because it involves an alleged threat to kill.
“‘Yung pagbanta na pinag-uusapan sa impeachment court ay pagbanta ng pagpatay. Marami, puwede kang magbanta ng sulat. There are a lot of threats, pero ‘yung pagbanta ng pagpatay ay hindi ordinaryo ’yun,” Garin said.
Garin said political anger or disagreement should never be used to justify threats, especially threats of violence.
“Maski galit ka or meron kang inaayawan, hindi ito rason para magbanta ka sa iba. Lalo na kapag ito ay banta ng pagpapatay,” she said.
She said public officials have a duty to model restraint and accountability because their behavior can influence the public.
“Hindi pwedeng gawing normal ’yan… And we have to set a good example. Dahil kaakibat ng ating posisyon ay pananagutan,” Garin said.
The House prosecutors said the impeachment proceedings should serve not only as a venue to determine accountability in the case against Duterte, but also as a reminder that threats and violent rhetoric should not be normalized in public life.