DEPUTY Speaker Paolo Ortega V of La Union on Thursday said “serious and disturbing” allegations of unexplained wealth and omissions in Vice President Sara Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) compelled him to endorse the fourth impeachment complaint against her.
The complaint, filed by lawyer Nathaniel Cabrera, places the Vice President’s alleged undisclosed assets and wealth disproportionate to lawful income at the center of the case and calls for a forensic review of bank records and property transactions.
“This is about constitutional accountability — the SALN is mandatory and must be complete and truthful, and any undeclared asset or unexplained wealth is a grave issue,” Ortega said on the impeachment complaint that he endorsed together with House Committee on Human Rights Chairman Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. of Manila.
The complaint alleges that certain bank accounts, properties and significant cash movements were not fully reflected in Duterte’s SALNs, raising questions about whether her declared net worth accurately represents her true financial position.
“If public officials are required to disclose all assets and live modestly, then any material omission is a serious constitutional concern that the House cannot ignore,” Ortega said.
Ortega also cited the sworn affidavit of alleged Duterte bagman Ramil Madriaga, who described the transport and delivery of millions of pesos in cash in duffel bags following the encashment of confidential and intelligence funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President and previously to the Department of Education.
“These confidential and intelligence funds amounting to hundreds of millions of pesos are subject to strict audit rules, and when there are sworn accounts of large cash transfers, those must be reconciled with SALN disclosures,” Ortega said.
Ortega nevertheless stressed that endorsing the complaint does not prejudge the Vice President.
“This is not a conviction. This is a process. But when there are sworn statements about large cash transfers and serious red flags in asset declarations, the House cannot look away,” he pointed out.
“The Constitution is clear. If there are material omissions or unexplained assets, accountability must follow,” Ortega added.
Meanwhile, Ortega said Duterte’s early declaration of a 2028 presidential bid will not derail constitutional accountability, amid renewed scrutiny over alleged unexplained wealth and SALN omissions.
“Let us be clear — running for President does not erase serious questions about asset disclosures and public funds. The timing speaks for itself,” he said.
Ortega said unresolved issues surrounding confidential and intelligence funds, as well as allegations of incomplete SALN, remain governance concerns — not campaign talking points.
“Oversight is not persecution. It is a constitutional duty,” he said.
He rejected the idea that a presidential run transforms accountability proceedings into political harassment.
“You cannot convert audit trails into campaign slogans. The impeachment process exists precisely to examine these questions,” Ortega said.
“The Constitution is not suspended because someone declares candidacy. If there is nothing to hide, transparency should not be feared,” Ortega added.
