House Deputy Speakers Paolo Ortega V and Janette Garin categorically denied over the weekend that congressmen were either bribed or forced to vote for the declaration of probable cause in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment case.

Ortega, La Union's 1st district representative, described the allegations against the solons--which included a P1.3-billion “appearance fee” fund for Committee on Justice members--as baseless and diversionary.

“To suggest that lawmakers abandoned their oath for a ‘pay-off’ is not only false—it is an insult to the collective judgment of the committee," Ortega said.

"The record speaks for itself. The committee’s unanimous vote was anchored on overwhelming documentary evidence—official records, sworn testimonies, and verifiable financial documents presented in open hearings,” he said.

Last April 29, the justice panel chaired by Batangas 2nd district Rep. Gerville "Jinky Bitrics" Luistro voted to declare the existence of probable cause in the two active impeachment complaints against the lady official. The vote result was a unanimous 53-0 (yes-no) for each of the complaints.

“No amount of spin can erase the fact that congressmen—regardless of affiliation—were confronted with hard numbers, official audit findings, and financial trails that demand accountability. The vote was not coerced; it was compelled by evidence,” added Ortega, an endorser of one of the two complaints.

He has called the allegations of bribery or coercion a disservice to the institution and an affront to the integrity of House members who take their duties seriously.

He also took a swipe at the Vice President’s supporters who resorted to attacking the impeachment process, since they couldn't do anything else.

“When the evidence is strong, the easiest tactic is to attack the process. But the Filipino people deserve better than manufactured noise. They deserve the truth—and the truth is found in the documents, not in the distractions,” Ortega said.

Meanwhile, Garin flatly dismissed the appearance fee claim. “Walang katotohanan ang ‘appearance fees’ at mas lalong walang pilitan (There is no truth to the so-called ‘appearance fees,’ and even more so, there is no coercion)."

“Mabigat ang ebidensya na iniharap laban sa pangalawang pangulo at hindi nya ito nasagot dahil pinili nyang maging absent sa lahat ng hearings kaya hindi na kataka-taka na nagkaisa ang boto para sa probable cause,” added the Iloilo 1st district congresswoman.

Garin said the unfounded allegations against committee members were a predictable attempt to discredit the outcome and shift attention away from the evidence on record.

“This narrative is meant to distract from the evidence. But the record is clear—the vote was based on facts, documents, and sworn testimony,” she said, echoing Ortega's remarks.

“There was no pressure, no directive, and no money involved. What we saw was an independent body doing its constitutional duty,” Garin said.

Garin stressed that lawmakers would not risk their credibility for baseless claims. “No member of the committee would compromise their integrity for something like this. Our votes are on record, and they are backed by evidence."

She went on to urge the Vice President’s camp to confront the impeachment allegations in the proper constitutional forum.

“If they have answers, they should present them in the impeachment process, under oath and backed by evidence. That is where issues are tested and resolved—not through speculation or public insinuations,” the deputy speaker said.