MANILA — Vice President Sara Z. Duterte should personally answer the allegations against her, La Union 1st District Rep. Francisco Paolo Ortega V said, stressing that the country’s second highest official must appear in the impeachment trial to present her side.

Ortega made the statement during a news forum in Quezon City, where he said accountability requires Duterte’s direct participation in the proceedings.

“If the people is asking questions and looking for answers, it is better to come from the horse’s mouth. The answer must come from the person involved,” he said.

He also emphasized that public officials are expected to uphold higher standards of integrity.

“Besides, integrity is important because if you are putting yourself to a higher standard, let’s pretend that I am running for president or vice president of the Philippines, you have an obligation to the people to answer,” the lawmaker added.

Ortega said that if Duterte chooses not to attend the impeachment proceedings, it will be up to her legal team to handle the situation.

“If Duterte will not attend the hearing, Ortega said “it is up for her defense on how they will handle these things.”

The impeachment court’s pre-trial conference began on Thursday and is set to resume on June 22, while the impeachment trial proper is scheduled to start on July 6.