No link between 2026 budget, potential impeach raps vs VP Sara: House leader

Philippine Vice President Sara Z. Duterte attends the plenary deliberations on the 2026 budget of the Office of the Vice President at the Philippine Senate in Pasay City on November 27, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — House Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno asserted Tuesday that there is no link between the 2026 national budget and the plans of some groups to file a new impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte after the one-year ban expires in February.

Sara Duterte claims impeachment threat a ‘bargaining chip’ in 2026 budget

He issued the statement after Duterte claimed that the impeachment is “being dangled once again as a bargaining chip right before the 2026 National Budget is passed."

“Tingin ko walang connection ‘yung impeachment sa budget… Sa tingin ko, hindi naman relevant ngayon ‘yung impeachment dito sa approval of the budget,” Puno said.

He gave assurances that National Unity Party members at the lower chamber will not be bought, and will deal with impeachment issues “seriously and fairly."

Lawmakers say Sara Duterte wants to 'discredit' impending new impeachment complaint

“At least ‘yung partido namin, ‘yung NUP, hindi kami magpapatulak-tulak dito. We are not going to enter decisions rashly and without thought, and without deliberations… We are going to be fair, we are not going to rush anything and syempre, hindi kami mabibili," he said.

Supreme Court blocks VP Sara Duterte's impeachment trial

"So we are not going to be dealing with these impeachment issues frivolously. We will look at this thing seriously and fairly,” Puno added.

The House of Representatives impeached Duterte in early February, charging the Vice President with graft, corruption and an alleged assassination plot against one-time ally and former running mate President Ferdinand Marcos.

But her defense team filed a petition arguing that a trio of earlier complaints logged against her in the House had constituted impeachment proceedings.

The Supreme Court agreed. It said a fresh impeachment attempt could be introduced, but not before February 6, 2026. 

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