Deputy Speaker and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V urged Filipinos to watch the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte live from its opening day, saying the proceedings are too important to be understood only through viral clips, social media posts, or partisan commentary.
Ortega said the trial is one of the country’s most significant constitutional proceedings and deserves public attention because its outcome will form part of the nation’s democratic history.
“Hindi araw-araw nagkakaroon ng impeachment trial laban sa isang nakaupong Vice President. Isa itong pambansang pangyayari na magiging bahagi ng ating kasaysayan. Kaya sana ay maging saksi ang bawat Pilipino,” Ortega said.
The La Union lawmaker said Filipinos should witness the proceedings firsthand instead of relying on short videos, edited content, or sensationalized posts online.
“I encourage everyone to watch the proceedings live from Day One. Listen to the arguments as they are made. Observe how the Senate Impeachment Court conducts itself. Form your own conclusions based on what you personally see and hear,” Ortega said.
“Panoorin ninyo nang live. Huwag nating ipaubaya sa clickbait, edited videos, o algorithm ang paghubog ng ating opinyon,” he said.
Ortega warned that misinformation can spread quickly during high-profile national events, especially in the current digital environment.
“Social media is a useful platform for discussion, but it should never replace firsthand information. Short clips can remove context. Headlines can oversimplify. Algorithms often reward the most emotional content, not necessarily the most accurate,” Ortega said.
“Sa panahon ngayon, isang 20-second video puwedeng magmukhang buong katotohanan kahit putol-putol lang ang ipinakita. Mas mabuti pa ring panoorin ang buong proseso,” he said.
He said the strongest defense against fake news is an informed public that sees the proceedings directly.
“Ang pinakamabisang panlaban sa fake news ay hindi argumento. Katotohanan ang panlaban sa fake news. At makikita ang katotohanan kapag pinanood natin mismo ang paglilitis,” Ortega said.
The Deputy Speaker said the impeachment trial is bigger than any political camp and should be viewed as a test of the country’s constitutional institutions.
“This is not simply about one official. This is about whether our institutions can carry out one of the Constitution’s most solemn responsibilities fairly, transparently, and according to law,” he said.
“Hindi ito laban ng magkabilang panig lamang. Ito ay pagsubok sa ating mga institusyon at sa ating demokrasya,” Ortega said.
Ortega said public attention can strengthen transparency and accountability in democratic institutions.
“When millions of Filipinos follow the proceedings, ask questions, and stay informed, our institutions become more transparent and more accountable. Public attention is not a distraction—it is one of democracy’s greatest safeguards,” Ortega said.
“Kapag ang taumbayan ay nakamasid, mas tumitibay ang transparency. Kapag ang taumbayan ay mulat, mas lumalakas ang pananagutan,” he said.
He also encouraged families, schools, universities, civic organizations, and workplaces to discuss the issues raised during the trial as part of broader democratic participation.
“I hope this becomes a national conversation—not driven by rumors or partisan narratives, but by facts, constitutional principles, and respect for due process,” Ortega said.
Ortega urged Filipinos to become active witnesses to what he described as a defining moment in Philippine democracy.
“Huwag tayong maging tagapanood lang ng mga reaction video. Maging saksi tayo sa mismong kasaysayan. Panoorin natin ang impeachment trial mula Day One hanggang sa huli. Sa ganitong paraan, ang magiging pananaw natin ay nakabatay sa katotohanan, hindi sa ingay ng social media,” Ortega said.