Coded warnings are allegedly being directed at legislators who may vote against the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte, according to Senator Imee Marcos, who described a pattern of pressure extending from the House of Representatives into the Senate.
Marcos, speaking to reporters Monday, claimed that abbreviated signals are being circulated as veiled warnings. She cited one such code she said is now in use — “OMB” — which she said is understood to mean a lawmaker will be filed with a complaint.
“Before, they used three letters: FLR — For Later Release. That meant their projects would be delayed. Now, there are reports of another three letters, OMB — they say you will be charged. Isn’t this intimidation?” she said.
The senator declined to name her sources but said she had received similar reports from within the Senate itself. “There are also reports like that in the upper chamber,” she said.
Marcos nonetheless expressed confidence that the impeachment push will clear the House. She said 106 votes — the minimum required out of 318 members to transmit the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate — are within reach. “We are waiting for it. I think the 106 votes can be easily reached. They are just finalizing the documents,” she said.
Her remarks came hours after the House Committee on Justice unanimously approved its impeachment report, resolution, and Articles of Impeachment against the Vice President. All 55 members present at the hearing adopted complaints brought by members of the clergy and lawyer Nathaniel Cabrera.
The approved articles charge Duterte with misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, and verbal threats against public officials. Amended provisions also allege that she failed to divest from business interests between 2022 and 2025, citing Securities and Exchange Commission records as basis.
Bicol Saro Representative Terry Ridon said conviction at the plenary was all but assured, noting that last year’s impeachment effort drew 215 votes and a comparable turnout was possible again. “Almost certain,” he said of the outcome.
Not all lawmakers share that assessment. Caloocan Representative Edgar Erice argued that the process has veered away from constitutional accountability into political persecution. “This is not about accountability. This is about partisan politics and using government institutions to persecute opponents,” he said.
Erice also cautioned the public against accepting one-sided narratives. “Let us be critical. Do not be blinded by narratives. Whatever the outcome — whether she is impeached or not — the public loses. Who wins? Politicians,” he said. He did add, however, that questions about the Vice President’s statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth warrant a proper explanation from her.
Batangas Representative Leandro Leviste said alleged threats would have no bearing on his vote and that he would make any intimidation attempt public. “They might be the last to call me because I will just expose it to the media,” he said.
