The spokesperson for the House prosecution panel said the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte should be guided by evidence, due process, and the Constitution, not by political noise or public spectacle.
The solon said the Filipino people expect truth from the proceedings as the Senate impeachment court prepares to begin the trial on July 6.
“The people expect truth, not political theater,” House trial spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said.
“As House trial spokesperson, our responsibility is not to create noise or spectacle. Our duty is to present the evidence clearly, professionally, and in accordance with the Constitution,” he added.
He said the House prosecution panel remains fully prepared to proceed once the Senate impeachment court issues its formal schedule. While the panel has yet to receive official communication on the timetable, the lawmaker said the 11-member team is ready to comply with whatever schedule the court may set.
“We have not yet received any formal notice from the Honorable Impeachment Court regarding the schedule of the proceedings of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte,” he said.
“Nevertheless, the 11-member prosecution panel remains fully prepared and stands ready to proceed on whatever schedule the Honorable Court may determine,” he added.
He also rejected attempts to frame the impeachment case along regional or political lines, stressing that the proceedings are not directed against Mindanao, Davao, or any particular region.
“Bilang kinatawan mula sa Mindanao, nais kong malinaw: ang impeachment trial na ito ay hindi laban sa Mindanao, hindi laban sa Davao, at hindi laban sa anumang rehiyon. Ito ay constitutional process na itinatadhana ng ating batas,” he said.
He said the 257 House members from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao who voted to impeach Duterte reflected a collective judgment that the allegations and evidence should be heard before the Senate impeachment court.
“Ang hinihingi lamang ng sambayanan ay simple: hayaang marinig ang ebidensya,” the solon noted.
“The Filipino people deserve a fair, open, and fact-based trial. Hindi ingay ng pulitika ang dapat manaig, kundi katotohanan at due process,” he added.
Alonto Adiong said the prosecution panel is ready to present documentary evidence, official records, and sworn testimonies in support of the Articles of Impeachment.
“This case must be decided on evidence, not on slogans, political pressure, or social media narratives,” he said.
He said the July 6 proceedings will mark the start of a constitutional process, not an act of persecution.
“July 6 is not the start of persecution. It is the start of due process,” he remarked.
“Sa huli, hindi lamang mga personalidad ang huhusgahan ng kasaysayan, kundi kung paano ipinagtanggol ng ating mga institusyon ang katotohanan, pananagutan, at ang Konstitusyon sa panahon na pinakamahalaga ito,” he added.