Lawmakers scoff at ‘ampaw’ Sara Duterte defense camp presser

MANILA, Philippines — House lawmakers on Thursday scoffed at the press conference of Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team, with one of them calling it “ampaw,” while another dared her to show up at the impeachment proceedings.

Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V of La Union called it “ampaw” as it did not address the questions raised during the House committee on justice hearing.

“Ampaw” is a sweet rice puff, but it is also a Filipino slang term that can mean “empty.”

“It was long and noisy, but where were their direct answers? With so many serious questions being thrown yesterday, what the public saw was no clear response to the issues,” Ortega said.

During the hearing on Wednesday, Anti-Money Laundering Council Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura told lawmakers that banks flagged 33 suspicious transactions and 630 covered transactions worth P6.7 billion involving Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio.

READ: Sara Duterte blasts Trillanes, COA, AMLC: Billions in banks untrue

READ: Over 600 transactions of Sara Duterte worth P6.7B flagged by AMLC

During the press conference, Duterte’s spokesperson Michael Poa, said the figure appears to be “bloated,” adding that it could include the inflows and outflows of the transactions.

Poa also said that suspicious transactions “do not equate to any wrongdoing or unlawful activity.”

However, Ortega said: “What the public is waiting for is a clear explanation of the transactions raised during the hearing, including those flagged as covered and suspicious.”

“When the amount in question is that large, it is only natural for the public to seek straightforward answers,” he added.

Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said the defense team should “stop the talking — and show up.”

“See you with the vice president at the last House impeachment hearing, or at the Senate impeachment trial,” he said in a statement. “We will settle it there.”

After further deliberations and at least a one-third vote endorsing it, the House will transmit the articles of impeachment to the Senate, which will serve as the impeachment court.

If convicted, Duterte will be removed from office and barred from holding any public post.

Duterte is the first to announce a presidential bid in the 2028 elections. /mcm /atm