REELECTED La Union Representative Paolo Ortega V on Thursday affirmed that the House of Representatives is prepared to proceed with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, as the Senate impeachment court is set to reconvene on August 4.
“Well, sabi ko nga consistent naman tayo, sabi ko nga it’s in the hands of the Senate,” Ortega, one of the leaders of the House Young Guns, said when asked about the change in schedule from the initially proposed July 30 start date.
“Scheduling, the different schedule changes, may mga ganoon naman na mangyayari eh, so may mga unpredictable tayong scenarios,” he added.
He stressed that the House would follow the Senate’s lead on the matter.
“If they maintain the calendar, their schedule, okay naman with the House of Representatives ‘yon. Kasi nga parehong… I think prosecution is also waiting for this. Ang taongbayan naghihintay din,” Ortega added.
The House prosecution panel earlier affirmed its readiness to present the Articles of Impeachment transmitted to the Senate in February this year.
Ortega emphasized that while adjustments are expected, what matters is that proceedings finally begin.
“To take it more lightly, siguro, there may be a formal schedule and formal communication … But definitely, we will take the lead of the Senate for this one,” he said.
Asked about Vice President Duterte’s statements that she is willing to face the impeachment court, Ortega took a neutral stance but underscored the need for readiness.
“Yung defense team niya is probably on top of it, so ika-calendar na lang nila yun. Malamang ite-text sya. Tapos dapat ready na rin sila by then,” he said.
He added that both camps have had ample time to prepare.
“Dapat siguro mag-push na rin ‘yung date na yun. At sabi ko nga abangan natin kung magkakaroon ng changes. But prepped naman na. I’m sure both sides are prepped. Calendar lang sa phone, text siya na ito ‘yung dates ng schedule natin, so, ganun lang prepare for both sides.”
Ortega noted that even the Senate has had enough lead time to prepare.
“Actually the Senate should prepare also kasi pinaghandaan na rin naman nila. May bagong Congress na rin,” he said.
When asked what message he had for the public, Ortega said people should be encouraged by the heightened engagement surrounding the process.
“Sabi ko nga naalala nyo nung time na nag-presscon ako, ‘yung study pa more? Naalala niyo ‘yung time na ‘yun? After that, nanatiling buhay ‘yung talks ng impeachment, nanatiling buhay ‘yung usapan ng impeachment,” he said.
He added that this level of civic attention is healthy for the democratic process.
“Yun ang gusto ng taong bayan, yung engaged sila, alam nila yung mga nangyayari. Pero hangga’t hindi na-open up ‘yung trial, hindi nag-uumpisa ‘yung trial, war of opinions lahat itong mga nangyayari sa atin.”
Ortega said the public discourse will remain speculative and partisan until the Senate trial begins.
“Giyera ng opinyon ito. Why will we argue with an opinion? Bakit tayo makipagdebate sa iba’t ibang opinyon ng iba’t ibang tao, iba’t ibang actors?
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