Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado has broken his silence after facing public backlash for his wife, Congresswoman Maria Vanessa Aumentado, signing the impeachment articles against Vice President Sara Duterte. 

The governor’s comments came during the Kauban sa Reporma event on February 11, 2025, in celebration of Bohol Peace Day, where he addressed the controversy head-on and attempted to explain the rationale behind the decision of Bohol’s lawmakers.

Aumentado said that he remains unfazed by the online vitriol, including hate messages and even threats, which have been directed at him by netizens. 

The controversy centers around the decision of Bohol’s congressional representatives, including his wife, to sign the impeachment complaint against Vice President Duterte.

The governor explained that Bohol’s representatives were frustrated by what they perceived as Duterte’s lack of cooperation during legislative committee hearings. 

He pointed out that the impeachment was necessary to escalate the matter to the Senate, where the vice president would have the opportunity to defend herself.

“I am calm despite the barrage of hate and criticism,” Aumentado told the audience. “The impeachment is not about declaring the vice president guilty but allowing her to explain her side before the Senate,” he added, urging the public to view the process as part of the democratic system.

The impeachment complaint, which was filed in the House of Representatives, accuses Vice President Duterte of misusing government funds and failing to participate in budget deliberations. 

On February 5, 2025, over 215 congressmen, including Bohol’s representatives, signed the impeachment articles. 

The complaint was subsequently forwarded to the Senate. 

However, the upper chamber has not yet acted on it, as the Senate adjourned for a lengthy break and is set to reconvene on June 2, 2025.

While Governor Aumentado confirmed he had no personal involvement in the impeachment process, he acknowledged the criticism directed at him. 

“I did not sign anything, yet I am the one being criticized,” he said, referencing the online bashing he and his wife have received.

He further clarified that the impeachment complaint is not an indictment of Duterte’s guilt but rather a mechanism to ensure the vice president’s defense is heard. 

“Impeachment is not a declaration of guilt. It’s an opportunity for the vice president to defend herself,” Aumentado stated.

Public Outrage

The backlash against the Aumentados intensified following the impeachment proceedings, with many Boholanos expressing disappointment over the congresswoman’s actions. 

Notably, Vice President Duterte is a personal friend of the Aumentados, with Duterte being the godmother of the Aumentados’ child. This relationship made the impeachment particularly controversial.

Despite the public criticism, Congresswoman Vanessa Aumentado defended her decision to sign the impeachment articles, asserting that her actions were in line with her duty to ensure a fair process. 

She also pointed out that the decision was not taken lightly but was meant to allow the vice president a chance to defend herself before the Senate.

In the aftermath, Aumentado said she remains committed to her constituents in Bohol’s 2nd district, despite the intense social media backlash. 

The 2nd district, which encompasses 14 towns, is the poorest in the province, and the Aumentados have represented the area since 1990s. Although five mayors in the district belong to the opposition, Aumentado claimed that the majority of town mayors continue to support her.

“The majority of mayors in my district continue to support my efforts to bring progress to our community,” said the congresswoman. 

She dismissed claims that the political controversy would affect her political prospects, stating that the anger directed at her would eventually subside.

Political Rivals

Meanwhile, political rivals are beginning to capitalize on the backlash against the Aumentados. 

In an online survey conducted shortly after the impeachment news broke, rival gubernatorial candidate Atty. Dan Neri Lim surged ahead of Governor Aris Aumentado in the polls. 

Lim, previously considered a dark horse in the race, is now viewed by many as the frontrunner for the gubernatorial election, which is scheduled to take place in less than three months.

Supporters of Lim argue that public sentiment has turned against the incumbent governor, who has been heavily criticized for his wife’s role in the impeachment. 

Some voters, especially those loyal to Duterte, have openly expressed their intentions to support Lim instead of Aumentado in the upcoming election.

Alleged Corruption

The controversy over the impeachment has also sparked allegations of corruption and financial impropriety. 

Critic Ronie Orillosa, a vocal critic of the Aumentados, accused Rep. Vanessa Aumentado of living a lavish lifestyle, alleging that she had been purchasing expensive jewelry and vehicles. 

Orillosa also claimed that the Aumentados had been involved in bribery, although no evidence was presented to substantiate these accusations.

Orillosa specifically pointed to the congresswoman’s purchase of an expensive SUV and van, suggesting that the Aumentados had paid for these items in cash. 

He further questioned how the couple could afford such lavish purchases, implying that their wealth may be tied to political favoritism.

“These lavish purchases raise serious questions,” Orillosa said. “How have they been able to afford such a lifestyle? Are they receiving bribes to benefit certain individuals?”

Despite these allegations, both Vanessa and Aris Aumentado have denied any wrongdoing, and the accusations have yet to be substantiated by official investigations.

As the political storm surrounding the Aumentados continues, both Governor Aris Aumentado and Congresswoman Vanessa Aumentado have called for public understanding. 

In his defense, Governor Aumentado emphasized that the decision to impeach Vice President Duterte was not personal but was done within the bounds of the law and the Constitution. He also urged his detractors to reconsider their opinions, suggesting that many would likely return to his side in the coming weeks.

“There is still time before the elections, and I hope people will see the bigger picture,” Aumentado said, referring to the possibility of shifting political allegiances in the coming months. He expressed confidence that the controversy surrounding the impeachment would eventually die down.

For his part, Orillosa acknowledged that impeachment is a legitimate part of the democratic process. 

He noted that the Philippine Constitution allows for the removal of officials such as the president, vice president, and justices of the Supreme Court through impeachment. 

He also pointed out the precedent set by the removal of former Chief Justice Renato Corona via impeachment in 2012, as well as the impeachment trial of former President Joseph Estrada, who ultimately resigned before the conclusion of his impeachment proceedings.

However, Orillosa expressed disappointment with how the impeachment complaint against Duterte was handled, particularly by Rep. Vanessa Aumentado and Rep. Alexie Tutor, both of whom have been seen as Duterte allies in the past. 

He argued that these congressmen had no reason to sign the articles of impeachment, given their historical support for Duterte, and that their actions had caused unnecessary division in the province.

“It is disappointing that these congressmen turned their backs on the vice president after all the support they’ve received from her,” Orillosa said. “They should have abstained from signing the articles of impeachment if they wanted to avoid this controversy.”