Rep. Garin Responds to Impeachment Allegations
Iloilo 1st district Representative Janette Garin has addressed claims regarding the House-led impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte and its alleged effect on the administration Senate slate’s performance in Mindanao. The issue centers around accusations that lawmakers signed the impeachment complaint due to monetary incentives tied to project approvals.
“Kailangan kong sagutin yun. Pangit naman sabihin na yung mga pumirma sa impeachment ay dahil sa pera at dahil dun sa mga conditional release. Kaya nga conditional release, hindi nirelease yung project mo. Eh paano ka naman matutuwa nun di ba? Parang hindi tugma,” Garin emphasized during a 32-minute Facebook live session. (I need to address this issue. It’s unfair to say those who signed the impeachment did so because of money or the conditional release. Conditional release means the projects weren’t funded—how would that make someone happy? That reasoning doesn’t add up.)
As a deputy majority leader in the 19th Congress, Garin expressed respect for Navotas City Representative Toby Tiangco, campaign manager of the administration-backed senatorial ticket, calling him “a very good friend.” However, she was surprised by Tiangco’s assertion that the impeachment was financially motivated.
Understanding the House Impeachment Impact on Administration Senate Slate
Garin clarified her reasons for signing the impeachment complaint, stressing it was driven by moral duty rather than political vendetta or personal gain. “Subalit medyo nagulat lang ako kasi I have to admit, I was one of those who signed the impeachment not because mayroon akong personal vendetta, hindi rin dahil sa pamumulitika, but because it’s our moral obligation,” she said. (However, I was a bit surprised because, I must admit, I was one of those who signed the impeachment—not because I had a personal vendetta, or because of political maneuvering, but because it was our moral obligation.)
She added that the complaint was complete and pending in Congress, so it could not simply be ignored or withheld from the Senate. “Kasi kumpleto ang complaint, nakabinbin sa Kongreso. Hindi mo siya pwedeng pabayaan na lang at huwag i-forward [sa Senado],” she noted. (The complaint was complete and pending in Congress. You can’t just ignore it and refuse to forward it to the Senate.)
Claims on Conditional Release and Project Funding
Tiangco had blamed the impeachment for the administration’s poor showing in Mindanao, where 24 percent of votes come from, suggesting it damaged President Marcos’ political capital and was a tactic to access conditional release funds. However, Garin strongly disputed this.
“I have to speak up because our credibility is at stake already…Parang hindi ko talaga maintindihan na hinold nga yung mga projects tapos pipirma ka ng impeachment para i-release yung project? Hindi ganun eh. Sorry ha pero parang ang layo,” she said. (I really can’t understand the claim that projects were held back, yet signing an impeachment complaint would ensure their release? That’s not how it works. Sorry, but I can’t see the connection.)
She explained that conditional release refers specifically to infrastructure projects being put on hold, often due to debates on their necessity or reassessment. “So unang-una, kapag sinabing conditional release ang sinabi noon yung mga projects specificallly infrastructure projects in the district ay na-hold. Dahil mayroon, yun nga, narinig natin yung sinabi ng iba na may nag-intriga, na hindi raw naman kailangan or iaassess pa kung alin doon ang kailangan, alin naman doon ang di kailangan,” Garin said. (First and foremost, when you say ‘conditional release’, it refers specifically to infrastructure projects in the districts being put on hold. Because we’ve heard about others sowing intrigues, with some saying certain projects weren’t needed, others saying they needed reassessment to determine which were necessary and which weren’t.)
She added that such issues would not typically prompt a lawmaker to sign an impeachment complaint since projects have gone through proper budget and inspection processes. “So yung bagay na ito will actually not trigger a member of Congress to sign an impeachment complaint. Kasi usually nun syempre, sa totoo nun, mayroon kang konting–parang mayroon kang doubt na, ‘Bakit iho-hold?’ Kasi dumaan siya sa proseso, dumaan siya sa budget process, At ini-inspect na yan ng ating mga kababayan,” Garin explained. (This kind of situation wouldn’t actually trigger a member of Congress to sign an impeachment complaint. The truth is, usually, there would be some doubt—’Why is this being held?’ After all, it went through the process, the budget process and was inspected by our constituents.)
Furthermore, she clarified the consequences of conditional release, stating, “Ito yung mga bagay-bagay na kapag sinabing conditional release, ay dalawa yan. Pwedeng hindi na i-release, hindi na pondohan at chances are itong mga school buildings na to ay hindi ipagpapatuloy sa taong ito. So hopefully we can make representations again para maliwanagan na ito ay kailangan.” (When it comes to conditional release, there are two possibilities: either the funding won’t be released at all, or school buildings that were meant to be constructed won’t be completed this year. Hopefully, we can clarify these issues and advocate for what’s necessary.)
Calls for Internal Discussion and Unity
Despite her candid remarks, Garin maintained a respectful tone toward her colleagues, apologizing for any discomfort her statements might cause. “Pasensya napo ano syempre kaibigan ko rin yung mga ibang magsasalita,” she said. (I apologize because some of those speaking out are my friends.) She firmly rejected the notion that the impeachment filing caused the administration-backed candidates’ losses.
She urged for constructive dialogue within the House of Representatives to dissect the issues and learn from the experience. “Sa panananaw ko yun ay dapat pag-usapan in the four corners of a conference room. Where the issues will be dissected, matitignan paano, bakit, magkaroon ng explanation. And lessons learned para sa susunod na may kampanya ay hindi na maulit,” Garin stated. (From my perspective, that’s something that should be discussed within the four corners of a conference room. Where issues can be dissected, analyzed, explained, and lessons learned in order to avoid a repeat in future campaigns.)
She also noted that public finger-pointing did not reflect well on the House as an institution.
For more news and updates on House impeachment impact on administration senate slate, visit Filipinokami.com.