Deputy Speaker and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V said the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte is now shifting into a more structured and evidence-driven phase following the submission of the prosecution’s pre-trial brief before the Senate impeachment court.
He said the filing marks a procedural turning point that places the case under stricter judicial discipline, where claims and defenses must now be tested through documents, witnesses, and defined legal issues rather than public debate or political narratives.
“Isang hakbang pa ito papalapit sa katotohanan at pananagutan. Sa ganitong proseso, ang kailangang tingnan ay ebidensya, batas at ang pagkakataon ng magkabilang panig na maipresent ang kanilang kaso,” the La Union lawmaker said.
The pre-trial brief outlines the evidence, witnesses, and legal issues the House prosecution panel intends to present in the impeachment trial. Duterte faces articles of impeachment over allegations including misuse of public funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, and threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
He stressed that the development is significant not only for moving the case forward but also for reinforcing the constitutional nature of the impeachment process, which he described as a formal mechanism for determining accountability among high-ranking officials.
“Ang impeachment ay isang seryosong mekanismo ng Saligang Batas para timbangin at alamin kung may pananagutan ang isang mataas na opisyal ng bansa,” he said.
He added that the Senate impeachment court provides the proper venue where allegations can be examined under rules that ensure both accountability and fairness, stressing that due process must prevail over political noise.
“Every accusation should be heard in the proper forum, in this case the Senate impeachment court. Not in FB live streams, not in social media and certainly not in fake committee hearings that lack legality and jurisdiction,” Ortega said.
The House leader also warned against allowing accountability discourse to be reduced to sweeping or unverified claims, saying standards must be applied consistently to all public officials regardless of position or affiliation.
“Pareho ang dapat na pamantayan sa lahat. Hindi puwedeng selective ang panawagan sa accountability. Kung seryoso tayo sa katotohanan, dapat seryoso rin tayo sa ebidensya at due process,” he added.
Ortega said the prosecution panel is prepared to proceed under constitutional rules, with the case now expected to be tested on the strength of evidence rather than rhetoric.
He urged the public to closely follow the proceedings, noting that the impeachment trial involves a matter of national importance and demands focus, fairness, and respect for constitutional processes.