Photo credit: Congress PH

Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V of La Union is urging Filipinos to keep their attention on the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, saying the proceedings should not be overshadowed by controversies and distractions as the country seeks answers to the allegations against the second highest official.

Speaking at the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City, Ortega said the Senate impeachment trial remains the proper venue to settle the issues raised against Duterte and allow both sides to present their evidence.

“Kung ano-anong distraction, kung anu-anong smokescreen. But focus lang tayo sa impeachment trial,” Ortega said.

The Senate impeachment court held its first pre-trial conference on June 18, with formal trial proceedings scheduled to begin on July 6. Both the House prosecution panel and the Vice President's defense team have already appeared before the impeachment court to identify witnesses, mark evidence, and tackle procedural matters ahead of the trial proper.

Ortega said the public has already waited long enough.

“Ang dami na pong nangyari pero wala lahat ‘yan. Doon tayo sa NBA Finals. Focus lang tayo sa impeachment trial,” he said.

His remarks came amid the controversy involving 18 individuals claiming to be former Marine officers and bodyguards of former congressman Zaldy Co, who alleged that bags containing cash were distributed to lawmakers and other personalities. Those accused have denied the allegations and challenged the group to present evidence before the proper forum.

Without directly addressing the controversy, Ortega maintained that side issues should not distract the public from what he described as the country's most important accountability process.

“‘Yun ang number one po na inaantabayanan, ‘yun po ang number one na kailangang sagutin. Kaya mas magandang tapusin na rin, matuldukan na,” Ortega said.

The House impeached Duterte on February 5, with more than 200 lawmakers endorsing the complaint. The Articles of Impeachment accuse the Vice President of misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery and corruption, and alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Ortega said the trial will be important regardless of the outcome because it will allow the public to hear the evidence and determine for themselves where the truth lies.

“At the end of the day, naniniwala tayo na malakas ang ebidensya, na may conviction,” he said.

“Pero kung hindi man ma-convict at mabuksan po lahat ‘yan, taumbayan na po ‘yung magdedesisyon sa mga susunod na hakbang o mga susunod na araw at sa darating na eleksyon,” he added.

The deputy speaker also said Vice President Duterte has an obligation to personally answer the accusations against her, especially as a public official who has been floated as a possible presidential candidate in 2028.

“Kung ikaw ‘yung tinuturo, ikaw ang hinahanapan ng sagot, magandang manggaling sa, coming from the horse’s mouth, sabi nga nila,” he said.

“If you are putting yourself in a higher standard, kunwari ako tatakbong presidente o bise presidente ng Pilipinas, may obligasyon ka sa taong bayan na sumagot. You are held to a higher standard than regular people, regular politicians, dahil hinalal ka diyan, sagutin mo yung taong bayan,” he added.

Still, Ortega admitted he personally doubts that Duterte will attend the trial.

“Tinanong sa akin ‘yan nung House hearings, sabi ko hindi. Ako ay hindi pa rin, hindi pa rin siya dadalo. Kasi hindi siya dumadalo talaga eh, kahit nung 19th Congress, hindi siya dumalo, saka hindi rin siya nag-oath. So sa tingin ko, hindi pa rin siya dadalo, although personal opinion ko lang ‘yun,” he said.

According to Ortega, skipping the proceedings may be part of the defense strategy.

“Strategy niya yun, yung hindi pagdalo, hindi pag-comment, hindi pag-pansin, nasa defense kung paano nila i-handle yun,” he added.

Despite that possibility, he expressed confidence that the House prosecutors are prepared for any scenario and are ready to deal with what he called "unconventional strategies" from the defense.

“Tingin ko lahat ng scenario, pinaghandaan naman ng prosecutors. Naniniwala ako na handa ang prosecutors. Kasi maraming unconventional strategies ang gagawin ng defense diyan, nakikita natin na may konting paraan na humaba o ma-delay man ito, pero very well prepared yung prosecutors,” he stressed.

Ortega also said surveys showing that eight out of ten Filipinos want the trial to proceed indicate that the public simply wants answers and will ultimately respect whatever verdict the Senate impeachment court reaches.

“Yung 8 out of 10, ang gusto nila ay maumpisahan para masagot. Kung ano man ang resulta, sa tingin ko, tatanggapin naman po ng taong bayan ‘yun. Ang gusto nila ay maumpisahan at masagot yung tanong,” he said.

“Kasi kahit sino namang tao na marami kang nakabimbin na questions, siyempre ‘yung gusto mo ‘yung pinakamabilis na sagot, ‘yung tamang sagot. Wala naman po sa atin na may gusto na ang dami mong tanong, wala kang nakuhang sagot, di ka pinansin, umalis na lang, para kang binasted, di ba,” he added.

Asked whether the Vice President could resign, Ortega said he does not believe she will step down, although he thinks her camp is trying to avoid a full-blown trial.

“It’s an option, pero sa tingin ko, hindi mag-reresign. Pero iniiwasan po nila na magkaroon ng trial. Kaya nga po nung umpisa, gusto nila ma-dismiss sa hearings ng House, ma-dismiss sa Senado, although di naman po maari dahil kailangan magkaroon ng trial,” he said.

He emphasized that impeachment is both a legal and political process, and competing narratives are expected. However, he said the most important thing is for the trial to finally begin and allow all evidence and answers to come out.

“So it’s an accountability measure, it’s an accountability exercise. So we get the answers after the trial,” he pointed out.

"So it’s all part of the strategy, it’s all part of the narrative. Pero kailangang mag-umpisa na ang trial para makita na po lahat, mailatag lahat ng ebidensiya at sagot, para matapos na po, tuldukan na po, tapusin na natin itong impeachment trial na ‘to,” Ortega stressed.