nextbet Lawmaker condemns intensifying harassment amid impeachment moves vs VP

MANILAnextbet, Philippines — House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro condemned yesterday what she said were increasing death threats and harassment she has been receiving through text messages and phone calls, as the meeting of impeachment endorsers and complainants against Vice President Sara Duterte draws near.

“These cowardly acts of intimidation will not deter us from pursuing accountability. In the past, I chose to ignore similar threats, but now is the time to hold these perpetrators accountable for their actions against those who stand for truth and accountability,” Castro said.

Expressing his support for Castro, former ACT Teachers party-list representative Antonio Tinio joined in denouncing the threats.

He urged the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate the threats and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Recto said yesterday that he preferred to improve benefit packages for PhilHealth members rather than to cut the contributions. But that P89.9 billion would go a long way in improving health benefit packages, and in paying the PhilHealth claims of private hospitals. So why is the money being impounded?

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“These escalating threats only show how desperate they are becoming. Are their masters feeling the heat of our legitimate call for accountability?” Tinio said.

Castro revealed that one particularly disturbing message, sent from mobile number 0955-584-3032, contained explicit death threats and warnings about going to Davao City. The message included expletives and threats of beheading.

She also received harassment calls from the numbers 0960-361-0219 and 0910-123-4505.

Castro said the threats against her intensified following her formal call for a meeting of impeachment endorsers and complainants against VP Duterte.

“These childish threats and harassment will not intimidate me. They are only proving that we are on the right path in holding accountable those who have squandered public funds,” Castro said in Tagalog.

Tinio urged Castro’s colleagues in Congress to denounce these attacks against a duly elected representative of the people.

“We cannot allow a culture of impunity where public servants are threatened for performing their constitutional dutiesnextbet,” Castro said.