Photo credit: Congress PH

Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V on Tuesday welcomed the assurance of Senate President Vicente Sotto III that the Senate will act “forthwith” on any articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte, saying it removes doubts that the process will move forward once the case reaches the chamber.

Ortega said the statement signals the Senate’s readiness to carry out its constitutional duty without delay once the articles are transmitted by the House of Representatives.

“Napakalinaw ng sinabi ni Senate President Tito Sotto na kapag naisumite ang articles of impeachment, kikilos agad ang Senado. That sends a strong signal that the process will not be delayed and that accountability will move forward,” Ortega said.

He stressed that under the Constitution, the Senate is required to convene and try the case once the articles of impeachment are formally submitted.

“Hindi ito pwedeng patagalin o iwasan. Once the House transmits the articles, the Senate must convene and try the case. That is a constitutional command, not a political option,” he added.

The fourth impeachment complaint—filed by lawyer Nathaniel Cabrera and co-endorsed by Ortega along with Bienvenido Abante Jr.—is currently under probable cause determination at the House Committee on Justice after being found sufficient in form, substance, and grounds.

The complaint includes allegations such as the alleged misuse of confidential and intelligence funds, threats against top officials, and unexplained wealth, which Ortega said warrant a full trial in the Senate.

“Ang bigat ng mga paratang—mula sa confidential funds hanggang sa usapin ng yaman at pananagutan sa taumbayan. These are not issues that can be ignored or brushed aside. They must be tested in a full impeachment trial,” he said.

Ortega noted that the House is approaching a critical stage in the impeachment process and must complete its constitutional role based on the evidence.

“The House is doing the hard work of determining probable cause based on evidence. Kapag natapos ito at naipasa sa Senado, wala nang dahilan para hindi ituloy ang paglilitis,” he said.

He added that Sotto’s statement helps reinforce public confidence that both chambers of Congress are prepared to follow the process through.

“Ang malinaw na mensahe ngayon ay tuloy ang proseso, walang atrasan. The Constitution lays down the path, and both the House and the Senate are duty-bound to follow it to its conclusion,” Ortega said.