DEPUTY Speaker and La Union 1st District Rep. Paolo Ortega V on Saturday said he does not expect Vice President Sara Z. Duterte to resign or personally attend her impeachment trial, but stressed that the trial must proceed so the public can hear answers directly from the Vice President’s camp.
During the Saturday News Forum at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City, Ortega said Duterte’s absence from previous House proceedings and the pre-trial conference this week informs his personal view on whether she will appear once the Senate impeachment trial begins.
Asked if he expects Duterte to attend the impeachment trial, Ortega answered directly.
“Ako tingin ko, hindi pa rin siya dadalo,” Ortega said.
Asked for the basis of his view, Ortega said Duterte had not been attending earlier proceedings.
“Kasi hindi siya dumadalo talaga, kahit noong 19th Congress ‘di siya dumadalo…Sa tingin ko hindi pa rin siya dadalo,” Ortega said.
He clarified that this was only his personal opinion.
“Although opinion ko lang ‘yun, personal na opinion ko lang po,” Ortega said.
Ortega said non-attendance, non-comment, and non-engagement may be part of the defense strategy. But he said the public deserves direct answers from the person facing the allegations.
“Maganda na lang manggaling sa, coming from the horse’s mouth, sabi nga nila,” Ortega said.
He said a Vice President, especially one who may seek higher office, is held to a higher standard.
“May obligation ka sa taumbayan na sumagot. You’re held to a higher standard than regular people, regular politicians. Hinalal ka diyan, sagutin mo yung taumbayan,” Ortega said.
Asked whether resignation is far-fetched if Duterte’s camp continues giving what House prosecutors have described as indirect answers, Ortega said resignation is a possible strategic option, but he does not personally expect it.
“Idea, yes. Pwedeng option yun kasi strategic option yun,” Ortega said. “Pero ako, tingin ko, hindi naman, opinion ko, personal kong pananaw, hindi magre-resign,” he added.
Ortega said Duterte’s camp has appeared to avoid a full-blown trial, first by seeking dismissal during the House process and later by seeking dismissal before the Senate. He said the case must still go to trial.
“Hindi naman po maaari, kailangan po magkaroon ng impeachment trial,” Ortega said.
He said accountability cannot be avoided by refusing to face proceedings or asking for dismissal.
“Hindi naman po pwedeeng ganoon na nagbibitaw ka kung may ginagawa ka na wala kang accountability,” Ortega said.
For Ortega, the answer is to begin the trial, lay out the evidence, and finish the process.
“Kaya kailangan mag-umpisa ng trial para makita na po lahat, mailatag po lahat ng sagot, matapos na po, tuldukan na po, tapusin na natin ang impeachment trial na to,” Ortega said.
Ortega said prosecutors appear prepared for different scenarios, including unconventional defense strategies and possible moves that could lengthen or delay the case. While he declined to discuss trial strategy in detail, he said he believes the prosecutors have been preparing both individually and on a per-article basis.
“Tingin ko lahat na scenarios pinaghandaan naman ng prosecutors natin eh,” Ortega said.
He said he believes the prosecutors are ready for whatever strategy the defense may pursue.
“Nakikita po natin na, siguro sabihin na nating, may konting paraan para mas humaba o ma-delay nito. Pero nakahanda po yung prosecutors natin,” Ortega said.
Ortega said the immediate task is clear: start the trial so the public can finally see the evidence, hear the answers, and judge the process for themselves.
“So kailangan lang po talaga, maumpisahan. Marami pong tanong, saka maraming agam-agam, saka maraming, maraming question ang mawawala kung nag-uumpisa na po,” Ortega said.
