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Advocates Philippines
Ortega To VP Sara Take The Oath, Sign Waiver, And Show Up
Photo credit: Congress PH
A House leader is challenging Vice President Sara Duterte to directly face allegations against her by appearing before lawmakers, taking an oath, and even signing a bank waiver—just like resource person Ramil Madriaga did.
Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V of La Union said on Tuesday that the next hearing of the House Committee on Justice on April 22 would be the ideal moment for the Vice President to finally respond in person to the accusations raised during the ongoing impeachment proceedings.
According to Ortega, credibility will not come from press statements or social media posts, but from sworn testimony and verified documents.
“Ang kailangan ng publiko ngayon ay katotohanan under oath, hindi no-show,” Ortega said, stressing that Duterte should personally attend the hearing, take an oath, and answer questions directly.
He pointed to Madriaga, who recently testified under oath and signed a bank waiver after securing court clearance. Ortega said this sets a standard that should apply to everyone involved.
“If she really wants to refute Madriaga, not through captions, not press releases, not soundbites—she should face the committee, take an oath, and answer,” he added.
Ortega also emphasized the importance of a bank waiver, saying it would allow investigators to examine financial records that could either support or disprove allegations involving undisclosed assets.
Without it, he said, the discussion remains stuck between competing claims rather than verified facts.
“Right now, one side has a sworn witness. The other has talking points and media rounds. That’s not equal footing,” Ortega said.
He also responded to the camp of Duterte’s legal counsel, which dismissed Madriaga’s testimony as “pure fiction,” saying the proper way to challenge that claim is to do it under the same sworn conditions.
“If it’s really ‘pure fiction,’ then face it under oath and answer in the hearing,” he said.
Ortega echoed earlier remarks from legal experts that fairness requires both sides to be subjected to the same level of scrutiny, especially when one witness has already exposed himself to possible perjury liability through sworn testimony.
He added that the goal is not drama but clarity.
“If there are errors in the testimony, counter it with facts. If there are gaps, present documents. If there are lies, confront them in the proper forum,” Ortega said.
For him, that forum is the House Committee on Justice, where questions can be asked, records are entered, and statements are tested.
At the end of the day, Ortega said, the public is not waiting for more statements—they are waiting for answers.
“People are waiting for the Vice President herself. To show up, take the oath, and respond,” he said.
Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V of La Union said on Tuesday that the next hearing of the House Committee on Justice on April 22 would be the ideal moment for the Vice President to finally respond in person to the accusations raised during the ongoing impeachment proceedings.
According to Ortega, credibility will not come from press statements or social media posts, but from sworn testimony and verified documents.
“Ang kailangan ng publiko ngayon ay katotohanan under oath, hindi no-show,” Ortega said, stressing that Duterte should personally attend the hearing, take an oath, and answer questions directly.
He pointed to Madriaga, who recently testified under oath and signed a bank waiver after securing court clearance. Ortega said this sets a standard that should apply to everyone involved.
“If she really wants to refute Madriaga, not through captions, not press releases, not soundbites—she should face the committee, take an oath, and answer,” he added.
Ortega also emphasized the importance of a bank waiver, saying it would allow investigators to examine financial records that could either support or disprove allegations involving undisclosed assets.
Without it, he said, the discussion remains stuck between competing claims rather than verified facts.
“Right now, one side has a sworn witness. The other has talking points and media rounds. That’s not equal footing,” Ortega said.
He also responded to the camp of Duterte’s legal counsel, which dismissed Madriaga’s testimony as “pure fiction,” saying the proper way to challenge that claim is to do it under the same sworn conditions.
“If it’s really ‘pure fiction,’ then face it under oath and answer in the hearing,” he said.
Ortega echoed earlier remarks from legal experts that fairness requires both sides to be subjected to the same level of scrutiny, especially when one witness has already exposed himself to possible perjury liability through sworn testimony.
He added that the goal is not drama but clarity.
“If there are errors in the testimony, counter it with facts. If there are gaps, present documents. If there are lies, confront them in the proper forum,” Ortega said.
For him, that forum is the House Committee on Justice, where questions can be asked, records are entered, and statements are tested.
At the end of the day, Ortega said, the public is not waiting for more statements—they are waiting for answers.
“People are waiting for the Vice President herself. To show up, take the oath, and respond,” he said.
Apr 21, 2026
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