MANILA – House Deputy Majority Leader Rep. Paolo Ortega V on Thursday welcomed the statement of Senate President Francis Escudero urging him to "study more" instead of calling out the upper chamber over the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. 

In a press conference on Thursday, Ortega acknowledged the statement, while clarifying that he is not part of the 11-member prosecution team.

"Maganda po yung advice niya sa akin, maganda rin po yung payong kuya tawag doon. Kasi dapat po talaga mag-study pa more tayong lahat lalong-lalo na po dito sa mangyayaring impeachment trial," he said. 

The response of the Senate President was regarding Ortega's remark that if the Senate can hold hearings during session break, it can hold impeachment trial. 

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Escudero said there is a difference between motu proprio hearings and the impeachment proceedings.

Ortega said his remarks are part of public discourse on the impeachment trial.

"Ang pagboboses ng opinion ay maganda para we’re keeping alive yung practice po at tsaka kahalagahan ng free speech. Tsaka buhay po yung topic ng impeachment sa ating lahat," he added. 

Ortega also welcomed the statement of House Speaker Martin Romualdez, lauding the Senate's preparations for the trial. 

“Nung nakita ko po yun na nag-react po at saka sumagot po si Speaker Martin Romualdez, siguro ano lang, nakiliti lang ako ng konti at saka kinilig. Alam mo yun, na-excite ako,” he said.

For his part, House Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur said Vice President Sara Duterte should attend the trial once it begins.

"I think she needs to be here. I think she needs to be in the country while the impeachment is ongoing," he said. 

When asked about the House prosecution panel's preparations, Ortega only said he is aware the team had a short meeting. 

Adiong said the prosecutors are working on strengthening their coordination and teamwork, apart from the legal preparations.

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“Actually you have 11-man team diyan. So it’s also important para they can move as one, yung rapport at yung tinatawag natin chemistry, how they can not only consolidate the data and evidence that they have to provide but how can they also complement each other," he said.  

Escudero repeated his earlier remark to lawmakers to focus on their own preparations ahead of the trial. 

The Senate President said Duterte's impeachment trial may be held in July, based on the proposed timetable.