La Union Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V said he endorsed the fourth impeachment complaint filed against Vice President Sara Duterte after what he described as “serious and disturbing” allegations involving unexplained wealth and omissions in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs).
Ortega said the allegations were significant enough to merit congressional action, stressing that SALN requirements are mandatory under the Constitution and must be truthful and complete.
The complaint, filed by lawyer Nathaniel Cabrera and supported by Ortega along with House Committee on Human Rights Chairman Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr., centers on claims that Duterte allegedly failed to declare certain assets and wealth that may be disproportionate to her lawful income.
“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.
The complaint also calls for a forensic review of bank records and property transactions to determine whether Duterte’s declared net worth accurately reflects her actual financial position.
According to Ortega, the allegations involve bank accounts, properties, and large cash movements that were allegedly not fully reflected in Duterte’s SALNs, raising questions about whether her declarations were complete.
“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 pointed to the sworn affidavit of alleged Duterte bagman Ramil Madriaga, who reportedly described transporting and delivering millions of pesos in cash using 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.
Despite endorsing the complaint, Ortega emphasized that his support should not be interpreted as a conclusion of guilt.
“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.
Ortega also dismissed suggestions that Duterte’s early announcement of a 2028 presidential bid could shift attention away from the impeachment effort, saying it should not interfere with constitutional processes.
“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.
He maintained that the issues involving confidential and intelligence funds and alleged incomplete SALNs remain matters of governance and public accountability, rather than political messaging.
“Oversight is not persecution. It is a constitutional duty,” Ortega said.
Ortega further rejected the claim that Duterte’s possible presidential run turns impeachment proceedings into harassment, arguing that the impeachment process exists specifically to examine questions of accountability.
“The Constitution is not suspended because someone declares candidacy. If there is nothing to hide, transparency should not be feared.”
