Former Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers has criticized the recent Senate blue ribbon committee hearing, which involved claims from 18 alleged former Marine officers, stating it serves primarily to divert public attention from Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment proceedings. Barbers asserted that the appropriate venue for addressing such allegations is the court, not public hearings. He expressed confidence that the public can see through what he described as an effort to discredit both the House of Representatives and the International Criminal Court (ICC). Barbers highlighted the lack of credible evidence from the alleged Marines, noting that none had directly seen the money they claimed was distributed. Other lawmakers, including Rep. Terry Ridon, have also denied the allegations, suggesting they are fabrications intended to undermine the impeachment process. The timing of these claims, coinciding with increased scrutiny of the Duterte family, has raised further doubts about their validity. The House of Representatives impeached Vice President Duterte on May 11, and her trial in the Senate is set to begin on July 6.