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The resigned congressman of the party-list group was once supported by Bong Go, however, he admits that some of the party’s supporters were confused by his vote to oust vice president Sara Duterte.
MANILA, Philippines – Resigned congressman Nat Oducado said on Tuesday, May 19, that he resigned for health reasons, and not because of his vote to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte.
Oducado of the party-list group 1Tahanan was among the two legislators who were removed from the list of Members of Parliament on Monday, May 18, the other being Franz Vincent Legazpi of Pinoy Workers. The reasons for their departure were not immediately known.
But Oducado, in an ambush interview the next day, said that he had been experiencing dizziness for the past few months.
“I will still be tested because my family has a long history … So I have asthma. At the same time, I have been getting tired quickly in the last few months,” he said.
Oducado was among 257 out of 318 lawmakers who voted to impeach Duterte in early May. That is even though his party-list group was supported by Senator Bong Go – a staunch ally of the Dutertes – in the 2025 elections.
“Our supporters especially from Cebu and Mindanao, were confused. In fact, I have been receiving several messages… (asking) what happened to my vote. So I had to explain.”
But he insisted publicly that there was no pressure related to the charges that led to his sudden resignation.
“Our vote was just to follow the direction of the majority,” Oducado added. “As leaders, we have to stand with tough positions.”
1Tahanan placed 44th in the 2025 polls, gaining more than 309,761 votes and one seat in Congress.
Majority member in the House of Representatives, Oducado introduced at least 107 bills in his first year in the 20th Congress, including campaign finance transparency measures, voter education in school curricula, and the establishment of job placement offices in high schools, among others.
His party-list group has yet to decide on his replacement. The second candidate is Gerard Joseph Alino, but Oducado said his chairman – the fourth nominee and the founder of the media outlet Brigada Elmer Catulpos – could claim the seat if the party agrees. – Rappler.com
