Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V of La Union said Monday that Vice President Sara Duterte’s announcement of her 2028 presidential bid does not intimidate him or affect his stance in the House.
“As far as I know, siguro iyun ang tactics nila, iyun ang taktika nila, iyun ang diskarte nila. Pero ako kasi I can only speak for myself parang wala namang epekto sa akin yung pag-declare nya ng presidente, kahit sino naman pwedeng gawin yun,” Ortega said.
Amid speculation that Duterte’s early declaration could influence lawmakers, Ortega maintained that the impeachment issue against the Vice President is about public accountability rather than political maneuvering.
“Well, lawmakers should be wary of the people because there are many questions left hanging, and there are still allegations. So all of us public servants should be afraid sa taong-bayan. Saka siyempre po meron po tayong tungkulin saka mga kailangan sagutin sa taong bayan. Doon po tayo dapat matakot,” Ortega said.
He emphasized that political survival should not outweigh constitutional obligations.
“Well, we are all political animals at the end of the day. Tignan po nila ‘yung merits ng impeachment, ng mga articles of impeachment, usisain, araling maigi, balikan nila ang nakaraang Kongreso. Kasi nga po at the end of the day ang amo natin ang taong-bayan, hindi natin amo ang nakatayo dyan at mga tatayong politiko. Kasi ang pinagsisilbihan natin ang taong-bayan. ‘Yan ang pinakasimple at pinakatamang gawin,” Ortega said.
Ortega added that each House member carries a direct mandate from their constituents.
“We get our mandate from our districts, from the people, and sa tingin ko hindi mahirap mag-decision when it comes to that,” he said.