House Deputy Speaker and La Union 1st District Representative Paolo Ortega has dismissed speculation that former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez was involved in the fourth impeachment case filed by Atty. Nathaniel Cabrera against Vice President Sara Duterte.
“Ang tagal na po na, matagal na po na hindi Speaker si Speaker Martin. But as far as I know, the former Speaker is concentrating on his district at recently nga po meron kaming meeting a few weeks ago at we are concentrating on our priority bills for the party which is Lakas,” Ortega said in an ambush interview on Monday.
The remarks came after Navotas City Representative Toby Tiangco suggested that Romualdez’s allies endorsed the complaint, implying the Leyte lawmaker’s involvement. Ortega responded,
“I guess he has to prove kung meron pong basbas si Speaker.”
The fourth impeachment complaint largely mirrors the one filed on February 5, 2025, but includes an affidavit from Ramil Madriaga, who identified himself as a bagman of the Vice President. Ortega stressed that Romualdez should not be implicated solely because some endorsers are his allies.
Ortega also explained his role in reviewing Cabrera’s complaint at the request of Manila 6th District Representative Benny Abante.
“Actually when I was with Manong Benny at sinabi niya na merong complainant, si Atty. Cabrera, ah nakita naman po namin yung complaint niya which is very much similar sa 19th Congress except for the Madriaga testimony. So hindi naman po ako nagdalawang isip kasi nga nakikita ko naman po na very strong po yung basis. At witness po kayo lahat dyan. Natalakay po lahat ito sa mga committees namin before. So parang no-brainer naman po siya for me,” Ortega added.