THE POLITICAL ARENA thrives on sharp words and sharper insinuations—but for Deputy Speaker and Antipolo City Rep. Ronaldo Puno, some accusations can cut too wide a swath.
Puno on Tuesday called on Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero to stop casting a broad net in his recent claim that certain members of the House of Representatives are behind a “demolition job” against him.
If Escudero truly believes a targeted campaign exists, Puno, a former Interior Secretary, said, he should name names.
“I don’t know who he’s pointing to or what demolition job he’s talking about,” Puno told reporters in a press conference.
“If he’s referring to what’s being spread on Facebook—that certain contractors supposedly contributed heavily to his campaign—then that should be brought to the proper investigation, with documents and actual names.”
‘In a political climate where reputations can be bruised by rumor alone … if you’re going to accuse, be ready to name names.’
MORE HARM THAN GOOD
For Puno, Escudero’s blanket statements do more harm than good. By speaking in generalities, the Senate leader risks implicating the entire House, including those who have nothing to do with the allegations.
“Blanket statements like ‘the House is maligning me’ hit all of us,” Puno said. “Chiz is my friend, but now I’m dragged into the accusation. Let’s not lump everyone together. He should just mention who it is so they can confront each other directly.”
The alleged demolition job Escudero mentioned remains vague in both scope and detail. In politics, “demolition job” is a loaded phrase, often implying an orchestrated effort to damage a person’s reputation—whether through leaks, smear campaigns, or disinformation. Yet without specific evidence or names, the term becomes a cloud of suspicion that can hover over many.
Puno stressed the importance of keeping discussions grounded in verifiable facts, not online chatter. “He shouldn’t be too rattled by these online things. Let’s focus on what’s really true,” he said, urging Escudero to respond only to substantial, clear accusations.
The Antipolo lawmaker’s remarks underscore a broader tension in Philippine politics: the increasingly blurred line between social media narratives and official political discourse.
BE SPECIFIC
In recent years, allegations—true or not—have often first surfaced on Facebook posts, viral threads, or anonymous pages before entering the mainstream political conversation.
These online narratives can quickly snowball, sometimes prompting leaders to address them even before any formal complaint is filed.
Puno’s call for specificity is, in part, a call to resist that cycle. By pressing Escudero to identify alleged perpetrators directly, he is advocating for a more accountable form of political engagement—one where accusations are backed by clear evidence and channeled through proper venues.
It’s also a personal matter for Puno. Being a long-time political figure, he knows how damaging broad accusations can be, especially when they implicate colleagues without proof.
“If you say ‘people in the House are behind this,’ that’s a big group. It’s unfair. If you believe someone’s doing it, name them,” he said.
In the absence of names, the public is left to speculate—something Puno clearly wants to avoid. Political intrigue may be a staple of the legislative arena, but Puno believes leaders should rise above hearsay.
THE CHALLENGE
As of press time, Escudero has yet to issue a detailed follow-up clarifying who exactly he believes is orchestrating the alleged demolition job.
For now, Puno’s challenge hangs in the air: move from implication to identification, from shadows to specifics. In a political climate where reputations can be bruised by rumor alone, the Antipolo representative’s message is simple—if you’re going to accuse, be ready to name names.