The House prosecution panel is fully prepared for the opening of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s impeachment trial on Monday, House prosecution spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said Sunday.
Alonto Adiong said the prosecution team has completed months of preparation for the historic proceedings before the Senate Impeachment Court.
“We are 100 percent ready. Our prosecutors, our legal team, and everyone supporting the prosecution have worked tirelessly to prepare for this constitutional duty. We are ready to present our case before the Senate Impeachment Court,” Alonto Adiong said.
He clarified, however, that the opening day of the trial is expected to focus on legal and procedural matters, rather than the immediate presentation of witnesses and documentary evidence.
“Marami ang umaasang may mga testigo agad bukas. Pero ang unang araw ay nakalaan para sa opening of the trial, opening statements, at pagresolba ng mga legal at procedural issues. Normal iyan sa anumang seryosong paglilitis,” he explained.
Alonto Adiong said the prosecution welcomes the start of the trial, saying it will finally provide the proper constitutional forum for both sides to present their cases.
“Matagal na naming hinihintay ang araw na ito. Sa wakas, magsisimula na ang proseso kung saan ang mga argumento ay ihaharap sa hukuman at, sa tamang panahon, ang ebidensya ay ilalatag sa Impeachment Court,” he said.
He said the prosecution will focus on proving the Articles of Impeachment with evidence, rather than engaging in public debate or political exchanges.
“Hindi namin layunin ang makipagpalitan ng soundbite o makipagtagisan ng pulitika. Ang layunin namin ay simple—ilatag ang ebidensya, sundin ang proseso, at hayaan ang Impeachment Court na magpasya batay sa batas at sa mga katotohanan,” Alonto Adiong said.
The Lanao del Sur lawmaker also assured the public that the House prosecution panel will respect the rulings of the Senate sitting as an Impeachment Court.
“Nirerespeto namin ang Impeachment Court at ang proseso nito. Anuman ang maging mga procedural rulings, susundin namin ang mga ito at ipagpapatuloy namin ang aming tungkulin bilang mga kinatawan ng House of Representatives,” he said.
Alonto Adiong said Monday’s proceedings will mark an important moment not only for the prosecution but also for the country’s constitutional institutions.
“Ang pinakamahalagang mangyayari bukas ay hindi kung sino ang mas mahusay magsalita. Ang pinakamahalaga ay nagsisimula na ang impeachment trial. Gumagana ang ating Konstitusyon at gumagalaw ang ating mga institusyon ayon sa itinakdang proseso,” Alonto Adiong said.