House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro, together with ACT Teachers Partylist Representative-elect Antonio Tinio, strongly criticized Vice President Sara Duterte’s suggestion for her brother, Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, to run for either House Speaker or Minority Leader in the 20th Congress.
“The Dutertes seem to think that the Philippines is their family corporation where they can simply assign positions to family members as they please,” Rep. Castro said. “This blatant attempt to monopolize key government positions shows their utter disregard for democratic principles and reveals their true intention of consolidating power within their family.”
Representative-elect Tinio pointed out that the Dutertes’ political influence is already waning, as evidenced by their significant losses in the recent elections outside their Davao City stronghold.
“The Dutertes may have won in Davao City, but they suffered substantial losses in surrounding provinces and across the country. Their political capital is eroding, yet they continue to act as if they have a mandate to control all branches of government,” Tinio stated.
“Dapat tandaan nina VP Sara at Rep. Pulong na ang kanilang kapangyarihan ay nanggagaling sa taumbayan, at hindi ito isang karapatan na ipinagkakaloob sa kanilang pamilya. Ang pagtatangka nilang monopolyohin ang kapangyarihan ay taliwas sa diwa ng demokrasya,” he emphasized.
Both lawmakers stressed that public service is a public trust and not a family enterprise, reminding the Dutertes that elected officials should prioritize the interests of the people rather than their family’s political ambitions.
“Public office is a public trust, not a family heirloom to be passed around. The Minority Leader position, in particular, is crucial for ensuring checks and balances in our democracy. It should be held by someone who genuinely represents alternative views, not by someone who will use it merely to advance family interests,” Rep. Castro explained.
“Dapat ang mga tunay na maglilingkod sa bayan at inuuna ang interes ng mamamayan ang mamuno sa ating gobyerno. Hindi ito isang negosyo na pwedeng bilhin, dayain at ipamana o ipagkasundo sa loob ng pamilya,” she added.
Tinio also called on other lawmakers to resist any attempt by the Dutertes to further expand their political influence in Congress.
“We urge our colleagues in the House to stand firm against this brazen attempt to treat our democratic institutions as family possessions. The Speaker and Minority Leader positions should be filled based on merit, capability, and commitment to serve the Filipino people, not on family connections,” Tinio concluded.#
