House Deputy Speaker and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V on Sunday backed the call of the country’s prominent business groups urging the Supreme Court (SC) to reconsider its ruling that voided the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.
The appeal from the Makati Business Club, Management Association of the Philippines, Integrity Initiative and Justice Reform Initiative underscored a deepening public concern over the erosion of transparency and accountability in government, according to the lawmaker.
“This is not just a legal debate. It is a test of our commitment to truth, fairness and constitutional checks,” Ortega said.
“When leading business groups warn that impunity is being institutionalized, the Court must listen. Transparency is non-negotiable, and accountability cannot be optional,” he added.
Ortega echoed their concerns and emphasized that impeachment is a constitutional safeguard designed to promote government transparency, not a political weapon.
“Impeachment exists to protect the people and ensure accountability at the highest levels of government,” he said. “Blocking even the initiation of that process through legal technicalities deprives the public of their right to know — and their right to demand answers.”
The SC voided the impeachment case on the grounds that the fourth complaint filed in February 2025 violated the one-year bar rule. The House of Representatives and other organizations have since filed separate motions to seek the reversal of the ruling.
Ortega warned that the SC’s reading of the Constitution not only undermined legal precedent but also opened the door to unchecked power.
“What the Court has done is create a shield for high-ranking officials to avoid scrutiny. That sets a dangerous precedent and weakens the very foundation of democratic accountability,” he said.
The business groups cited risks, such as rising costs of doing business, strained supply chains and reduced investor confidence.
“You cannot separate transparency from economic resilience. If institutions appear unwilling or unable to hold officials accountable, confidence both political and financial begins to crumble,” Ortega said.
He urged SC to take the motion for reconsideration seriously and restore integrity to the process by allowing the case to proceed on its merits.
“This is not about partisanship. It is about principle. The Constitution gives the people a right to demand accountability — and that right must not be denied through procedural shortcuts,” Ortega said. “Let the truth come out. Let transparency prevail.”
