Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V of La Union on Saturday criticized what he called a “double standard” in handling threats against national leaders, citing the arrest of a public school teacher in 2020 versus the current controversy surrounding Vice President Sara Duterte.
Ortega recalled the case of Ronnel Mas, a teacher arrested after posting on Twitter an alleged ₱50 million offer for anyone who would kill then-President Rodrigo Duterte. Mas later apologized, claiming it was a joke.
By contrast, Ortega pointed to Duterte’s recent public statement that she had instructed someone to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez if she herself were assassinated.
“Kung ordinaryong teacher, hinuli dahil nag-offer ng ₱50 million sa isang post para ipapatay ang Pangulo. Pero kapag Vice President ang nagsabing may kinausap siya na papatay sa Pangulo, First Lady at Speaker kung may mangyari sa kanya, biglang free speech lang?” Ortega said.
He stressed that accountability must be equal:
“Hindi puwedeng magkaiba ang sukatan o standards kapag makapangyarihan na ang nagsasalita.”
Ortega argued that the Vice President’s remarks carry heavier weight because they come from the second-highest official in the land, who could assume the presidency at any time.
He urged that the matter be tested through the impeachment process, not dismissed as mere political rhetoric.
“Ang pagbabanta ay hindi opinyon. Ang mas mahalagang tanong ay: karapat-dapat pa ba siyang humawak ng pangalawang pinakamataas na posisyon sa pamahalaan kung ganito ang kanyang pag-uugali?”
He warned against a justice system that swiftly punishes ordinary citizens but hesitates when powerful officials are involved:
“Simple lang naman ang tanong natin: bakit noong ordinaryong mamamayan ang nagsalita tungkol sa pagpatay sa Pangulo, may agarang pananagutan; pero kapag Vice President ang nagsalita, hihingi pa tayo ng espesyal na palusot?”
Ortega concluded that the Senate impeachment court should weigh the evidence and decide whether Duterte’s statement was protected free speech or a grave breach of public trust. # (ZIA LUNA)
