House prosecutors emphasized that the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is being pursued on behalf of the Filipino people, and not in service of any political interest or individual agenda, as the case moves closer to key pre-trial and trial dates.
Lead prosecutor and Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said the House prosecution panel carries a constitutional duty to represent the sovereign will of the people in proceedings that are expected to test the country’s accountability mechanisms.
“Please understand that the House of Representatives in this impeachment trial is representing the sovereign Filipino people. Impeachment is a mechanism that was given to the Filipino people to go against the erring public official,” she said.
She added that the prosecution team’s responsibility extends beyond courtroom preparation, stressing the importance of keeping the public informed on the progress of the case within the limits allowed by procedure.
“In other words, the interest which is being represented by us in this trial is not our personal interest but the interest of the Filipino people. Suffice it to say that we need to share to the people whom we represent what is going on as far as the preparation for the trial is concerned,” she said.
The House prosecution panel has been regularly updating the public on its preparations, including the submission of its pre-trial brief, witness list, documentary evidence, and procedural matters intended to be raised before the Senate impeachment court.
Luistro said transparency is part of respecting the public’s right to information, while also ensuring that the integrity of the proceedings is maintained.
“This is the people’s right to information. That is why we are prompted to update from time to time what is happening with regards to the preparation of the prosecutors,” she said.
“The people are our client here, and they need to know the things that the public prosecutors are doing in relation to this trial,” she added.
House prosecution spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong echoed the call for public engagement, urging Filipinos to closely follow what he described as a landmark constitutional process.
He said the impeachment trial should be viewed not only as a legal proceeding but also as a test of the country’s accountability framework.
“Hinihikayat po namin ang ating taong-bayan na makilahok, makinig at makapag-update po patungkol dito sa impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte,” the Lanao del Sur legislator stressed.
He reiterated that the prosecution panel’s mandate is rooted in public trust.
“Tulad po ng sinabi ng ating lead counsel, si Congresswoman Jinky Luistro, ang kliyente po ng House Prosecution Team ay ang taong bayan,” he said.
The impeachment trial, the first involving a sitting vice president, is expected to tackle allegations of public fund misuse, unexplained wealth, bribery, and threats against high-ranking officials.
Adiong said public awareness and scrutiny are essential given the gravity of the charges and the constitutional implications of the proceedings.
“Again, we are requesting the public to join our call for the proceeding of an immediate open trial of the Impeachment Court,” he said.
Luistro said the process is ultimately meant to reaffirm democratic accountability, stressing that the case transcends political divisions.
“We want all the Filipino people to be involved in this impeachment trial because after all, it is their interest that we represent,” she said.
“Samahan niyo po kami. This impeachment trial is an accountability mechanism which is innate in democracy,” she added.
She concluded that the proceedings should be understood not as a contest between political blocs, but as an exercise of the people’s sovereign power under the Constitution.
“Let us uphold the supremacy of the sovereign Filipino people para po ito sa lahat ng Pilipino at sa mga darating pang henerasyon,” sh emphasized.