Davao City First District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte on Monday denounced the plunder case filed against former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, calling it an alarming sign of what he described as the administration’s crackdown on dissent.
Singson is facing several plunder and corruption charges filed with the Office of the Ombudsman, which were initiated by Warriors ti Narvacan, Inc., headed by lawyer Estelita Cordero.
In a statement, Duterte said it was “getting ridiculous” that individuals critical of the government were being targeted with cases, asking whether “freedom of speech has already disappeared in this country.”
“Now, anyone who dares to speak against the administration gets charged. So this is what they call the new normal in government?” he said.
The lawmaker urged the government to practice fairness, saying that if authorities truly sought justice, they should start by holding their own allies accountable.
“If you really want justice, start with yourselves. When will you file cases against your own kind — and your drug-addicted children?” Duterte asked.
He also questioned what he called the apparent influence of foreign powers, hinting at alleged interference from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in the government’s actions.
“Let’s not pretend anymore — it’s becoming obvious that the CIA is the one running this government,” Duterte said.
He also suggested that the administration’s moves were aligned with a broader political agenda.
Duterte said the government’s treatment of critics has made the country’s democratic space shrink, likening the current situation to a “syndicate controlling the people’s rights.”
“The problem now is that those who tell the truth are the ones being targeted. This is no longer democracy — it’s beginning to look like a syndicate controlling the people’s rights,” he said.
Duterte’s statement follows Singson’s own call for the resignation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., a move that has stirred fresh political tension between allies and critics of the administration.
