By Danielle Tiu
MANILA — Senate President Vicente Sotto III dismissed allegations from Senator Imee Marcos that the 2026 national budget could be weaponized to initiate another impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte. He argued that the claim lacked merit, citing the “Anti‑Epal” clause in the General Appropriations Act which bars politicians from meddling in the release of government assistance.
Marcos had criticized the budget as a “political” tool rather than a developmental plan, warning that allocations for medical and crisis aid might be used as leverage once the constitutional ban on new impeachment complaints expires.
Sotto insisted that such fears were misplaced, emphasizing that the Senate has safeguards in place and would not permit the misuse of public funds for political maneuvering.
