Frasco explains vote for impeachment

Photo from www.congress.gov.ph/

Frasco confirmed that he was among the more than 240 congressmen, about 80 percent of the House of Representatives, who voted to transmit the complaint to the Senate.

In a recorded video during one of his engagements in his district, he explained that the serious allegations against Duterte, including the alleged misuse of confidential funds and her remarks about an assassination threat against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, necessitates a formal inquiry.

He emphasized that it is the Senate's role to determine Duterte's culpability and underscored the importance of due process over engaging in debates through the media.

Frasco outlined two key reasons for signing the impeachment complaint. First, he said he wanted to protect the welfare of his constituents.

He explained that he joined the majority because he did not want their programs and projects, such as scholarships, to be put at risk. He revealed that over 16,000 students benefit from the district's scholarship program.

"Because of you, I joined the majority. I don't want our programs and projects to be at risk, such as our scholarship," said Frasco.

He worried that opposing the majority could jeopardize funding for various initiatives, including support for persons with disabilities, fisherfolk, solo parents, students, drivers and vendors, as well as infrastructure projects like the airport terminal in the Camotes Islands.

Frasco warned that failing to align with the majority could lead to delays in requests, programs and projects, possibly resulting in a "zero" budget for his office.

He expressed concern that being left without a budget would be detrimental to scholars and other beneficiaries relying on government assistance.

His second reason stemmed from a personal conflict with Duterte. Frasco recalled that in July 2023, his wife, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, faced a backlash over the controversial "Love the Philippines" campaign.

He claimed that Duterte and her allies played a role in amplifying the criticism. He asserted that they discovered who was behind the online attacks and that those responsible were Duterte's allies.

"We found out who bashed that issue, these were her supporters. We really asked VP Sara, and I was really there with them," he said.

According to Frasco, his wife personally sought Duterte's help in asking their allies to tone down social media attacks, but Duterte refused, saying she had no control over online personalities.

Frasco also revealed that his wife also asked Duterte for a statement of support, similar to those given by the President, senators and mayors, but Duterte declined.

Frasco added that a month after the controversy, Duterte visited his district without notifying or inviting him, and met with his political opponent instead of the Durano political clan of Danao City of the same congressional district.

She returned a year later and did the same, this time in Carmen town. He questioned what would happen to their scholars and projects if he ended up with no budget, emphasizing that those who did not side with the majority were not prioritized.

Eight Cebuano lawmakers joined Frasco in supporting the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.

These lawmakers include Cebu City 2nd District Rep. Eduardo Rama, Lapu-Lapu City Lone District Rep. Cindi Chan, Mandaue City Lone District Rep. Lolypop Ouano-Dizon, Cebu Province 1st District Rep. Rhea Mae Gullas, 2nd District Rep. Edsel Galeos, 4th District Rep. Janice Salimbangon, 6th District Rep. Daphne Lagon and 7th District Rep. Peter John Calderon.

Gubernatorial candidate Pamela Baricuatro denounced their decision, urging Cebuanos to hold them accountable. She accused the lawmakers of betraying public trust and ignoring the will of their constituents.

Baricuatro warned the public not to forget what she called their "irresponsible actions" and insisted that they had undermined unity by aggressively pursuing Duterte's impeachment.

As a staunch Duterte ally and challenger to incumbent Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, Baricuatro criticized the lawmakers for moving forward with the complaint despite Duterte's overwhelming electoral support in Cebu.

In the 2022 elections, Duterte received 1,772,999 votes in Cebu province, surpassing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who garnered 1,515,812 votes. In Cebu City, Duterte secured 360,428 votes, while Marcos obtained 325,060.

Baricuatro has actively campaigned for the Duterte family, leading multiple political rallies in their favor.

Meanwhile, Garcia, her opponent, has aligned herself with Marcos.

Former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama also spoke out against the impeachment move, calling it unnecessary and urging the government to focus on more pressing national concerns.