The House prosecution panel is considering tapping translators in major Philippine languages to help explain the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte more clearly and accurately to the public.
Former Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, spokesperson and impeachment adviser of the House prosecution panel, said the team is looking at engaging translators in languages such as Bisaya, Hiligaynon, Bicolano, and others to make the proceedings more accessible to Filipinos nationwide.
According to Barbers, the initiative is meant to help ordinary citizens better understand the impeachment process, particularly those who are more comfortable receiving information in their own language.
“Napakalawak ng usapin ng impeachment. Hindi ito usaping legal lang. May procedural, may legal, at may public information aspect. Kaya hindi ito kayang ipaliwanag ng iisang tao lamang. Kailangan ng team na may iisang mensahe at iisang naratibo,” Barbers said.
The former lawmaker said the panel already has lawyer-spokespersons who can discuss legal and procedural issues, while his role is to strengthen public communication and help ensure that accurate and timely information reaches ordinary Filipinos.
“Plano naming ipaliwanag ang proseso sa iba’t ibang wika para mas maraming Pilipino ang makaintindi at hindi mabiktima ng maling impormasyon,” he added.
Barbers stressed that impeachment is an accountability mechanism provided under the Constitution that can be applied even to the most powerful in government. He said the public deserves to understand how the process works before forming conclusions.
He also urged Filipinos to personally follow the proceedings instead of relying solely on social media commentary.
“Live ang proceedings kaya hinihikayat namin ang publiko na panoorin ito mismo. Habang tumatakbo ang paglilitis, asahan nating dadami ang fake news at iba’t ibang interpretasyon. Mas mabuti pa ring makita at marinig mismo ng taumbayan ang ebidensya at proseso kaysa umasa sa mga haka-haka o maling impormasyon,” Barbers said.
Barbers said the prosecution’s objective is not only to present its case before the impeachment court but also to help the public understand the constitutional process based on facts, evidence, and the rule of law.