House assistant majority leader and La Union 1st District Rep. Paolo Ortega V on Monday voiced genuine concern over Vice President Sara Duterte's well-being following a controversial press conference where she made alarming statements that have raised public concern.
“Yung sa akin po talaga, gusto kong tanungin kung okay lang ba siya. Nag-aalala po talaga ako,” Ortega said during a press briefing at the House of Representatives.
Over the weekend, Ortega, alongside fellow Assistant Majority Leader Zambales 1st District Rep. Jay Khonghun, called for a psychological evaluation of the Vice President after she made disturbing remarks.
In a press conference last Friday, Duterte admitted imagining cutting off President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s head and threatened to exhume the remains of the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. and throw them into the West Philippine Sea.
Speaking to reporters, Ortega expressed his worry over Duterte's state of mind, saying her remarks went beyond political disputes.
“The statements were not even, for me, hindi na siya political. Parang it’s a question of kultura. Nasa kultura ba nating mga Pilipino ang mga ganyan na statements? Ganyan ba tayo pinalaki? Ganyan ba kapaligiran natin?” Ortega remarked.
“Talagang nanlilisik. Parang galit na galit sa mundo. ‘Yun lang kaya talagang question ko, kung talagang okay ba siya,” he added.
1-Rider Partylist Rep. Rodge Gutierrez echoed Ortega's sentiment, noting that the Vice President's remarks had sparked widespread discomfort.
"Well, I have to agree with Cong. Ortega. I think it’s a cultural issue, most especially ‘yung relation sa desecration ng bangkay. I think most people have already complained po," Gutierrez said.
He continued, "I think it doesn't involve any comment on our part as congressmen and we leave it to the people to decide on how they would see that as qualities of a leader."
While Ortega stopped short of recommending any formal evaluation of Duterte, he hinted at the possibility of deeper issues.
“Suggestion lang naman ‘yun. Unang-una, hindi rin ako pwedeng magrekomenda at wala rin akong kilala kasi so far parang okay pa naman ako,” Ortega said. “Pero the people have seen the interview, parang may something. Parang punong-puno ng galit, parang ‘yung mga lumabas sa ating mga pahayagan, parang talagang hindi ko alam kung may meltdown.”
He also speculated that Duterte's behavior might be an attempt to deflect attention from her handling of public funds, which has been under scrutiny.
"May problema na nangyayari right before our eyes during the press conference. But again, baka it's another diversionary tactic," Ortega said.
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