House trial spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the House of Representatives can manage the simultaneous demands of the impeachment trial and deliberations on the proposed 2027 national budget through proper scheduling, personnel assignments, and prioritization.
In a radio interview, Adiong said the House is structured to perform several constitutional and legislative duties at the same time, with lawmakers assigned to different responsibilities.
“Nag-multitask naman po talaga ang House of Representatives and even the both Chambers of Congress for that matter. Hindi lang lang naman naka-focus ang isang bagay sa impeachment trial,” the solon said.
“I think it’s a matter of management, managing the time, pati ‘yung assigning of the members who would be present during the trial,” he added.
Adiong, who also serves as one of the vice chairpersons of the Committee on Appropriations, explained that not all House members or appropriations committee members are required to attend the proceedings before the Senate Impeachment Court.
“Kasi hindi naman po lahat ng miyembro ng Appropriations at lahat po ng member ng House ay uupo dyan sa impeachment trial,” he said.
He acknowledged that the impeachment proceedings could require adjustments to the House calendar, particularly during budget season, but said such changes would remain manageable.
“Pero I’m sure, of course, I admit na magkakaroon po ng adjustment doon sa time, doon sa how many, probably how many days would be allotted for the briefing ng mga budget,” he said.
Adiong noted that Congress typically adds a couple of days to the schedule during the annual budget season to allow committee briefings on agency funding to continue despite competing legislative responsibilities.
“Ang alam ko, every budget season talaga nag-a-add yan ng dalawang araw para continuous pa rin ‘yung briefing ng mga komite sa mga pondo ng ahensya,” he added.
According to Adiong, the House is designed to address several priorities simultaneously, including scrutinizing the proposed national budget, advancing legislation, and carrying out its constitutional role in the impeachment process.
“So it’s just a matter of managing it well dahil we designed naman talaga to address multiple concerns. Isa na rin ito sa apart from the budget hearings, yung mga other legislative priorities din,” he said.
He added that House leaders would have to determine which lawmakers would handle each task while ensuring that the prosecution panel fulfills its constitutional duty before the impeachment court.
“So it’s a matter of putting and prioritizing and making a list of what legislations and what measures are we to tackle, at the same time knowing that it’s also a constitutional duty… sino yung inaatasan at sino talaga ‘yung uupo diyan na mga prosecutors,” Adiong said.
The House is expected to conduct deliberations on the proposed 2027 national budget while members of its prosecution panel continue presenting evidence in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte.