Solon-endorsers of the two impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte have clapped back at the latter for saying that her impeachment case is nothing but a baseless political attack.

Deputy Speaker La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega V and Senior Deputy Minority Leader Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima had a lot to say about Duterte, who challenged in separate statements Friday the findings of the House Committee on Justice that the two impeachment complaints were both sufficient in form and in substance.

“The House of Representatives cannot simply turn away from the impeachment process. It is part of our constitutional mandate as representatives of the people—to ensure accountability in government, uphold the rule of law, and protect the public interest,” Ortega said.

Contrary to what Duterte said, Ortega reckoned that there were serious reaaons for the impeachment case against the latter. "From the outset, it has been evident that the impeachment complaint against the Vice President rests on serious and documented allegations."

"These are not borne out of personal animosity or political maneuvering, but from matters brought forward during committee hearings, including sworn statements and testimony, some of which came from individuals connected with the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd)," the said.

As such, the complaint was not driven by personal or political motives, Ortega stressed. "Impeachment is not a personal attack. It is a constitutional mechanism meant to safeguard the integrity of public office."

For De Lima, the Vice President is straight-up trying to avoid the impeachment proceedings in the House, which is moving into the hearings proper at the Committee on Justice.

From wanting a bloodbath, VP Sara is now once again trying to evade impeachment,” De Lima said, referring to a statement from the same respondent when she was subjected to impeachment proceedings last year.

“Now that the House Committee on Justice has declared the impeachment complaints against her sufficient in form and substance, it is only natural to secure evidence and possible witnesses for the Committee – evidence already alleged in the complaint – for purposes of the next stage/s of the proceedings,” said the former Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary.

Madriaga 

In her statement Friday, Duterte discredited potential impeachment witness Ramil Madriaga, and slammed the House for placing a lot of attention to the detained man.

But Ortega and De Lima agree that Madriaga’s testimony is crucial to proving the Vice President’s alleged impeachable offenses.

"I also support the request of Rep. Atty. Chel Diokno for the House of Representatives to take custody of Ramil Madriaga. The objective is straightforward: to preserve documentary evidence and ensure the safety and availability of a potential witness amid the serious allegations being examined,” Ortega said.

“Such action is consistent with the House’s constitutional duty to conduct a fair, orderly, and evidence-based inquiry," he added.

De Lima said: "Amid these threats and intimidations, Congress must ensure Madriaga’s safety for purposes of his intended testimony as a material witness."

She cited statements from the Vice President’s own camp regarding the need to protect the witness.

“Sinabi na rin ng abogado ni VP Sara na dapat lang na matiyak ang kaligtasan ni Madriaga para makapagbigay siya ng testimonya. Pero bakit parang kabado pa rin ang kliyente niya? (VP Sara’s lawyer also said it’s only right to ensure Madriaga’s safety so he can give his testimony. But why does his client still seem nervous?)" De Lima asked.

De Lima assured Duterte that she would also have the opportunity to address the allegations during the hearings before the justice panel.

Ortega is an endorser of the Nathaniel Cabrera complaint against Duterte, while De Lima is an endorser of the Joel Saballa et al complaint.