Abante said he did not want to “pre-empt what the intention of the vice president would be", but questioned the timing of her announcement, especially since at that time, there were already three impeachment complaints filed against her.

“Napakaaga ng kanyang announcement (Her announcement is too early),” said Abante, who pointed out that there were still two full years before the 2028 national elections.

For Abante, Duterte’s pronouncement does not shut down the controversy, instead it could put everything out in the open.

“Her announcement would open the Pandora’s box for everything. That will expose her publicly,” said the House Committee on Human Rights chairman.

He added that the development places the burden on the Vice President to address questions raised against her, as the public weighs what kind of leadership and direction she offers.

“And now it is up to her to be able to explain to the Filipino people,” Abante noted.

Vice President Duterte bared her Palace aspirations on Wednesday morning, Feb. 18. Later that night, over at the House of Representatives, Abante and Deputy Speaker La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega V endorsed the fourth impeachment complaint against the lady official.

Lawyer Nathaniel Cabrera was the lone complainant.

Abante said his decision to endorse the Cabrera complaint had nothing to do with the 2028 presidential race.

“This is about 2026, about whether the Vice President remains fit to hold the second highest office in the land. This is not about politics, but this is about accountability and integrity,” he underscored.

He said the impeachment process offers Duterte a venue to address accusations head-on. After all, the public deserves clarity on issues tied to the Office of the Vice President (OVP), he said.

“If ever siya ay walang nagawang masama, eh ‘di magiging balewala yung impeachment complaint, ‘di ba? Eh kung meron naman nagawa, magpapatuloy ang impeachment complaint sa impeachment court,” Abante said.

(If she has done nothing wrong, then the impeachment complaint will amount to nothing, right? But if she has committed wrongdoing, the impeachment complaint will proceed to the impeachment court.)

He added that the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, will ultimately decide the case.

“Let the impeachment court decide on that. Sila naman ang Senado naman ang mag-judge eh. Ang mga congressman magiging prosecutor lang yan (It is the Senate that will serve as judge. The congressmen will only act as prosecutors).”