SINABI ni Deputy Speaker Paolo P. Ortega V ng La Union nitong Biyernes na ang impeachment complaint laban kay Vice President Sara Duterte ay nag-ugat sa mga “serious and documented allegations,” at nilinaw na layunin ng proseso na mailantad ang katotohanan sa pamamagitan ng mga itinakdang mekanismo ng Konstitusyon.

Sa kanyang pahayag bilang tugon sa mga naging komento ng Bise Presidente tungkol sa impeachment proceedings, iginiit ni Ortega na ang reklamo ay hindi bunga ng personal o pampulitikang interes, kundi batay sa mga isyung lumitaw sa mga pagdinig ng komite.

“From the outset, it has been evident that the impeachment complaint against the Vice President rests on serious and documented allegations. These are not borne out of personal animosity or political maneuvering, but from matters brought forward during committee hearings, including sworn statements and testimony, some of which came from individuals connected with the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education,” ani Ortega.

Binanggit din niya na nabigyan si Duterte ng pagkakataong sagutin ang mga paratang sa loob ng proseso ng committee proceedings.

“The Vice President was given the opportunity to address these allegations before the committee. Yet to this day, the public has yet to hear a clear and comprehensive explanation that would directly address the issues raised,” ani Ortega.

“Ito po ang isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit ako nag-endorso ng ika-apat na impeachment complaint — upang mabigyan ng pagkakataon ang katotohanan na lumabas sa pamamagitan ng tamang proseso,” dagdag niya.

Ipinahayag din ni Ortega ang pagsuporta sa panawagan ni Rep. Chel Diokno na kunin ng House of Representatives ang kustodiya ni Ramil Madriaga, na aniya’y layong maprotektahan ang posibleng ebidensiya at mga testigo.

“As one of the endorsers of the fourth impeachment complaint, I also support the request of Rep. Atty. Chel Diokno for the House of Representatives to take custody of Ramil Madriaga. The objective is straightforward: to preserve documentary evidence and ensure the safety and availability of a potential witness amid the serious allegations being examined,” aniya.

“Such action is consistent with the House’s constitutional duty to conduct a fair, orderly, and evidence-based inquiry,” giit pa niya.

Ayon pa sa mambabatas mula sa Ilocos Norte, hindi maaantala ng impeachment proceedings ang pagtugon ng Kongreso sa mahahalagang isyung kinahaharap ng bansa.

“At the same time, the work of government continues. The House of Representatives remains fully engaged in addressing the pressing challenges confronting our country — from concerns affecting overseas Filipino workers amid international tensions, to the rising prices of basic goods and other urgent issues affecting Filipino families,” sinabi ni Ortega.

“These matters continue to be taken up in legislative deliberations and government action,” dagdag niya.

Gayunman, sinabi niyang hindi maaaring basta isantabi ng Kamara ang impeachment process.

“The House of Representatives cannot simply turn away from the impeachment process. It is part of our constitutional mandate as representatives of the people — to ensure accountability in government, uphold the rule of law, and protect the public interest,” aniya.

Hinimok din niya ang publiko na hayaan ang proseso na umusad at ituon ang pansin sa mga ebidensiyang lilitaw habang nagpapatuloy ang mga pagdinig.

“Kung nagsasabi ng totoo ang Bise Presidente, wala po siyang dapat ikatakot. Sa ganitong proseso, ang katotohanan — hindi ang takot — ang kakampi ng ebidensya,” pahayag ni Ortega.

“Impeachment is not a personal attack. It is a constitutional mechanism meant to safeguard the integrity of public office. I urge everyone to allow the proper process to take its course and to remain open to the evidence and facts that will be presented,” ani Ortega.