MANILA – Deputy Speakers Paolo Ortega V of La Union and Janette Garin of Iloilo rejected allegations that the House Committee on Justice’s finding of probable cause in the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte was influenced by bribery or political inducement.

The lawmakers described the claims as baseless and an attempt to divert attention from the committee’s work, following reports suggesting a supposed “pay-off” involving members of the panel.

“What pay-off? 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,” Ortega said in a statement.

He stressed that the impeachment proceedings were conducted transparently, with lawmakers independently evaluating the evidence presented during hearings.

“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,” he added.

Ortega also dismissed allegations of bribery as an attack on the integrity of the institution.

“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. These are elected representatives who understand the gravity of impeachment. They voted based on what was proven, not on what was peddled outside the halls of Congress,” he said.

He challenged critics to present evidence if they insist on the allegation.

“If you have evidence of a ‘pay-off,’ then name names. Identify the members. Present the proof. Execute sworn statements. File the appropriate charges. Otherwise, stop maligning the entire House with reckless accusations,” Ortega said.

Ortega also clarified that a finding of probable cause does not equate to a determination of guilt, but only establishes sufficient basis for the case to proceed to plenary and potentially to the Senate for trial.

“This is the constitutional process at work. The House determines probable cause. The Senate tries the case. That is the rule of law. That is accountability,” he said.

In a separate statement, Garin also denied the allegations, including reports of a supposed PHP1.3-billion “appearance fee” for committee members.

“Walang katotohanan ang ‘appearance fees’ at mas lalong walang pilitan (There is no truth to the appearance fee, nor any coercion),” Garin said.

She said the committee’s unanimous 53–0 vote was based on the strength of evidence presented against the Vice President.

“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 (The evidence presented against the Vice President was strong and she didn’t answer it because she chose to remain absent in all the hearings, so, it’s not surprising that the vote was unanimous for probable cause),” she added.

Garin said the allegations against committee members were meant to discredit the proceedings and shift attention away from the 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.

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

The House Committee on Justice earlier voted 53–0 with no abstentions to find probable cause to impeach Duterte after weeks of hearings involving allegations of fund misuse, unexplained wealth, and threats against top officials.

The committee is expected to finalize its report for submission to the plenary, which may lead to transmittal of the articles of impeachment to the Senate for trial.