House Deputy Speaker and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V said that Vice President Sara Duterte is unlikely to attend her impeachment trial, stressing that her absence constitutes a ‘strategy’ for her defense team.

Speaking at the Saturday News Forum ahead of the impeachment proceedings scheduled to begin in July, Ortega said he expects Duterte to continue her previous practice of not appearing in congressional proceedings.

“Tingin ko hindi pa rin siya dadalo,” Ortega said, noting that the Vice President had also been absent during hearings in the 19th Congress.

According to Ortega, Duterte’s camp may be deliberately limiting public appearances and comments as part of its legal approach to the case.

“May kaakibat na strategy ‘yung sa hindi pagdalo, hindi pag-comment, hindi pagpansin,” he said.

Despite acknowledging that such a move could be a defense strategy, Ortega stressed that it would be better for the Vice President to directly address the allegations against her.

“Nasa defense niya na yun kung paano nila ihahandle yung ganun bagay, pero sabi ko nga kung ikaw ang tinuturo, ikaw ang hinahanapan ng sagot. Maganda na lang coming from the horse’s mouth sabi nga nila,” he said.

Ortega emphasized that public officials, particularly those occupying high office, have a responsibility to explain themselves when facing serious accusations.

“May obligasyon ka sa taumbayan na sumagot. You’re held to a higher standard than regular people, regular politicians. Hinalal ka diyan, sagutin mo ‘yung taumbayan,” he said.

The deputy speaker also underscored the importance of proceeding with the impeachment trial, saying it serves as a venue for accountability and allows all allegations to be thoroughly examined.

As preparations continue for the trial, Ortega acknowledged the strength of Duterte’s legal team and said prosecutors are carefully preparing for various defense strategies.

“I’m sure during the preparation, matagal na rin po naghahanda ang prosecution. Siyempre, kailangan nilang maghanda dahil magaling din po, saka malakas ang defense team,” he said.

He added that strategic considerations are expected on both sides as the proceedings move forward.

“So hindi po ako magtataka kung meron man po... may mga strategy po na involved diyan. So kabilang po yun sa part ng stratehiya,” Ortega said.

The first day of the pre-trial conference in the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte began on Wednesday, with both prosecution and defense teams appearing before the Senate as part of preparatory proceedings ahead of the scheduled trial.

Duterte was a no-show at the first day of the conference.

The impeachment trial of Duterte is expected to begin in July 6, with both the prosecution and defense teams finalizing their preparations for the proceedings.