DEPUTY Speaker Paolo Ortega V of La Union on Saturday urged the public to stay focused on the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, saying the proceedings remain the most important accountability process facing the country and should not be overshadowed by side controversies.
Ortega said the Senate impeachment trial is the proper venue for addressing the allegations against Duterte and answering questions raised during congressional investigations.
“Kung ano-anong distraction, kung anu-anong smokescreen. But focus lang tayo sa impeachment trial,” Ortega said during the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City.
The Senate impeachment court held its pre-trial conference on June 18 and is scheduled to begin trial proceedings on July 6.
The House prosecution panel and the Vice President’s defense team appeared before the impeachment court last Thursday to identify witnesses, mark evidence, and discuss procedural matters ahead of the trial proper.
Ortega said the public has waited long enough for the proceedings to begin.
“Ang dami na pong nangyari pero wala lahat ‘yan. Doon tayo sa NBA Finals. Focus lang tayo sa impeachment trial,” he said.
The House leader made the remarks when asked about the controversy involving the 18 individuals claiming to be former Marine officers and bodyguards of former congressman Zaldy Co, who alleged that cash-filled luggage bags were distributed to lawmakers and other personalities. Those implicated have repeatedly denied the allegations and challenged the group to present evidence before the proper forum.
The group sought to bring the allegations before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, but a much-publicized proceeding failed to materialize and was eventually reduced to a press conference after their senator-allies did not show up.
Without directly addressing the allegations, Ortega suggested that such controversies should not divert attention from the impeachment proceedings against Duterte.
He stressed that the trial will give both the prosecution and defense an opportunity to present evidence and arguments before the Senate impeachment court.
“‘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.
Ortega said the proceedings are important regardless of the eventual outcome because they will establish facts and allow the public to hear the evidence presented by both sides.
“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 said.
Ortega acknowledged that impeachment is both a legal and political process and that competing narratives are inevitable as the trial approaches.
“Hindi lang po judicial ito, political exercise po ito. So ini-expect po natin ‘yan,” he said.
Still, he maintained that public attention should remain on the evidence and issues that will be tackled before the impeachment court.
Ortega described the proceedings as an accountability mechanism designed to answer questions raised against the Vice President and allow the public to make informed judgments.
“So it’s an accountability measure, it’s an accountability exercise. So we get the answers after the trial,” he pointed out.
The House impeached Duterte on May 11, with 257 lawmakers endorsing the complaint.
The Articles of Impeachment accuse the Vice President of misusing confidential funds, amassing unexplained wealth, bribery and corruption, and threats against the country’s top officials.
The Senate is set to begin hearing the case on July 6.
