Deputy Speaker and Antipolo City 1st District Representative Ronaldo “Ronnie” Puno has advised Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero to remain composed amid growing online criticism and allegations of a “demolition job” aimed at unseating him before February 2026.
“Huwag na siyang masyadong kabahan siguro sa mga online-online. Ang tingnan natin ‘yung talagang ano totoo,” Puno told reporters in a press conference on Tuesday, August 12. He emphasized that Escudero should focus on the truth rather than be distracted by social media chatter.
Escudero had earlier claimed that a coordinated campaign was underway to discredit him, possibly linked to efforts to remove him from the Senate presidency ahead of the House of Representatives’ anticipated filing of a new impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte. The move would come after the one-year bar rule set by the Supreme Court (SC) expires.
The Senate chief is currently being linked to a contractor involved in the controversial ₱545-billion flood control project. Some online posts have alleged that the contractor was a major contributor to Escudero’s campaign, a claim he has not publicly confirmed.
Puno, however, expressed uncertainty about who Escudero was referring to in his statements. “Hindi ko alam kung sino ‘yung tinututok niya no or sino tinuturo niya. At saka hindi ko alam anong demolition job ang sinasabi dahil kung ‘yung binabanggit niya ‘yung mga lumalabas sa Facebook na kontratistang nagko-contribute daw, major contributor sa kanyang kampanya,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker also pushed back against suggestions that the House of Representatives was behind any smear campaign. “Masama ‘yung pagka-blanket na ‘sinisiraan sa Kongreso’ eh lahat kami tinatamaan. Kaibigan ko si Senator Chiz eh. Pati pa ako nadamay na naman sa akusasyon. Huwag nating lalahatin. Siguro banggitin nya na kung sino ‘yun para at least magkasagutan na sila,” he stressed.
Puno reiterated his call for clarity, saying Escudero should directly identify those he believes are behind the attacks. “So ‘yung demolition job siguro, banggitin nya specifically para magkaayos ayos na sila,” he added.
The exchange comes at a politically sensitive time, with both Congress and the Senate facing heightened tensions over major infrastructure controversies and looming political battles leading into 2026.