La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega V said the alleged “serious and disturbing” allegations of unexplained wealth and omissions in Vice President Sara Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) were his main reasons for endorsing the latest impeachment complaint against the lady official.

The fourth 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, a deputy speaker, said in a statement Thursday, Feb. 19.

On Wednesday night, Feb. 18, Ortega and Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido "Benny" Abante Jr. endorsed the Cabrera complaint before House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil.

The complaint alleges that certain bank accounts, properties and significant cash movements were not fully reflected in Duterte’s SALNs. This raised 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 former Duterte administration intelligence officer 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 (OVP) and previously to the Department of Education (DepEd).

“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.

The Deputy Speaker 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 concerns about governance. He rejected the idea that a presidential run transforms accountability proceedings into political harassment.

“Oversight is not persecution. It is a constitutional duty. You cannot convert audit trails into campaign slogans. The impeachment process exists precisely to examine these questions,” the La Union solon said.

In a related development Thursday afternoon, Garafil confirmed that the Cabrera complaint had been transmitted to the office of the House Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III.

Garafil said the transmittal was made "in accordance with established House rules".

"The OSG’s role is purely ministerial, confined to receiving and transmitting pleadings and documents filed with the House. The OSG emphasized that any action on the complaint will proceed strictly in accordance with the Constitution and the rules of the House of Representatives," she said.

The three previously filed complaints are already with the Speaker's office.