House impeachment prosecutor and Manila Rep. Joel Chua said the prosecution panel will rely on evidence—not political noise—to answer misinformation surrounding the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte.
Chua said the strongest response to false narratives will be the documents, testimonies, and other pieces of evidence the House prosecutors intend to present before the Senate impeachment court.
“Alam po ninyo, wala pong pinakamatinding panabla sa fake news kung hindi po ang ebidensya na ilalatag po namin,” Chua said.
He said the prosecution expects misinformation, attacks, and diversionary claims to intensify as the Senate trial moves forward.
“Hindi po natin maaalis na maglalabasan ang maraming fake news. At naniniwala kami na habang sisimulan itong impeachment at mas umiigting itong trial sa impeachment, mas umiigting din ang mga paninira, mga fake news, para ma-divert ang atensyon ng ating mga kababayan,” he said.
Despite this, Chua said the prosecution will stay focused on presenting its case and allowing the public to assess the allegations based on the evidence.
“Pero kami po sa panig po ng prosecution ay naka-focus lamang kami sa aming gawain, sa aming trabaho. At ang focus lamang namin dito ay mailatag nang maayos ang ebidensya sa ating mga kababayan at makita ng mga taumbayan kung totoo ba o hindi itong mga paratang sa ating Vice President,” he said.
The Senate impeachment trial of Duterte is scheduled to begin on Monday, July 6, with opening statements from the prosecution and the defense.
The impeachment court is also expected to act on several pending procedural motions as the trial opens.
Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives in May. She is facing allegations involving the alleged misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery involving Department of Education personnel, and threats against the country’s top officials.