Manila, May 1 -- Deputy Speakers Paolo Ortega V of La Union and Janette Garin of Iloilo on Friday dismissed as baseless and diversionary the claim that the House Committee on Justice's finding of probable cause in the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte was the result of any "pay-off" or political inducement.

"What pay-off? The record speaks for itself. The Committee's unanimous vote was anchored on overwhelming documentary evidence - official records, sworn testimonies, and verifiable financial documents presented in open hearings," Ortega said in a statement.

He said the proceedings of the House Committee on Justice were transparent, with members from political parties independently assessing the evidence laid be...