Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V of La Union on Monday expressed confidence that the House Committee on Justice will not be swayed by political pressure in handling the fourth impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Well, the Justice Committee nakita nyo kung pano i-handle ni Congresswoman Jinky Luistro ‘yung committe, so I don’t think maiimpluwensyahan o matatakot or mai-intimidate ‘yung committee as long as nandiyan at nakalatag ang mga importanteng facts tsaka pag-uusapan ‘yan, pagdedebatehan ‘yan dadaan sa committee level so due diligence, tsaka lahat ng kailangan na pag-uusisa dadaan lahat sa committee,” Ortega said.
The fourth complaint, filed last Wednesday, alleges that Duterte failed to fully disclose assets in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth and may have accumulated wealth disproportionate to her lawful income.
Filed by Atty. Nathaniel G. Cabrera and endorsed by House Committee on Human Rights Chair Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. and Ortega, the complaint accuses Duterte of culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, bribery and other high crimes.
Ortega said subjecting the complaint to committee-level scrutiny would allow fuller debate and engagement among lawmakers.
“Mas confident pa siguro ako now dahil uusisiiin siya committee level. So mas mapag-uusapan, mas mapag-debatehan, mas may-engagement ‘yung mga different views from the different legislators. So confident ako na makukuha pa rin ‘yung vote,” he said.
He added that going through the regular committee process is preferable.
“Mas mainam siguro na ganun (not shortcut route). Since nagkaroon tayo ng Supreme Court issues before, I think this is where it’s heading. Nakita nyo naman pati yung impeachment ng Pangulo dumaan din doon,” Ortega said.
At the core of the complaint are allegations that certain assets, bank accounts and property transactions were omitted or understated in Duterte’s SALNs. Ortega pointed to the testimony of Ramil Madriaga as reinforcing earlier claims.
“Well, yung Madriaga statements,” he said when asked what prompted his endorsement.
“Yeah, pero this one was already coming out in the media. So parang mas napalakas pa lalo. Na-reinforce yung 19th Congress na complaint,” Ortega added.
He maintained that his endorsement was a personal decision after reviewing the complaint.
“Hindi po, sarili po naming desisyon ito,” Ortega said.
“So sabi ko, sige I will endorse this. At yun naman sarili ko namang paninindigan saka pag-endorse… So parang no-brainer naman po siya for me.”
Ortega stressed that the allegations had been discussed in prior committee proceedings and should now be tested again through proper deliberation.
“Titingnan natin ‘yung flow ng sa komite. Kung in the highest interest of the public… then aaralin ‘yan. Bubusisiin,” he said.
He added that regardless of political narratives, the process must be guided by accountability.
“Kung meron man blessing or wala, bonus na lang siguro. But this one talagang decision ko, personal decision,” Ortega said.