The House of Representatives expects Vice President Sara Duterte to directly address the impeachment charges against her rather than relying on legal maneuvers, Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega of La Union announced on May 26. 

With the Senate impeachment court’s strict, non-extendible June 1 deadline fast approaching, lawmakers are actively pushing for a substantive response rather than a motion to dismiss. 

“We are hoping to receive an answer, not a motion to dismiss,” Representative Ortega said.

Once Duterte submits her answer, the House prosecution panel will have a similarly rigid five-day window to file its comments, keeping the high-stakes trial on a rapid schedule.

Ortega firmly warned that any attempt by Duterte’s defense team to file a motion to dismiss or to delay proceedings while waiting for pending Supreme Court decisions would be viewed as a clear dilatory tactic. 

Characterizing such moves as a waste of time, the House leader expressed confidence that the Senate impeachment court will maintain its swift momentum and reject any stalling mechanisms. 

“It will just be a waste of time. We do not think the Senate impeachment court, which has so far acted forthwith on the impeachment case, will allow it,” the Congressman stated.

The warning underscores the lower chamber's determination to prevent the trial from grinding to a halt over procedural technicalities.

Urging the Vice President to make good on her promise to defend herself, Ortega pressed Duterte to seize this moment to finally speak to the public. 

He noted that because she consistently refused to participate in the initial House impeachment proceedings, she has waited over a year for this trial to take place. 

“She consistently refused to show up in the House impeachment proceedings. She waited for more than a year since last year’s impeachment process for her trial to take place and to present her answer. She should seize this opportunity so the people can finally hear from her,” Congressman Ortega highlighted.

Lawmakers are now insisting that Duterte use the Senate stage to deliver the detailed answers the public has been waiting to hear.