The House prosecution panel has welcomed the progress of the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, saying the constitutional accountability process is now fully underway following the first day of the Senate impeachment court’s pre-trial conference.
“We have finally come to a point na assured na tayo that the ball is rolling, ika nga. Tuloy-tuloy,” House impeachment trial spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said.
“We are very happy that now, ‘yung tinatawag po nating accountability mechanism ng ating Constitution ay gumugulong na,” he added.
Alonto Adiong said the issues and objections raised during the pre-trial proceedings were expected and part of normal court processes.
“I would not even call it tension kasi that’s expected, that’s expected and it’s a usual occurrence naman talaga in a pre-trial conference,” he said.
“Overall, maganda. We are very happy,” he added, noting that the prosecution looks forward to the continuation of the proceedings on June 22.
However, the House prosecution expressed concern that the defense’s pre-trial brief focused heavily on procedural objections rather than the allegations contained in the Articles of Impeachment.
According to Alonto Adiong, many of the issues raised by the defense have already been resolved following the Senate’s assumption of jurisdiction as an impeachment court.
“We are way, way past that stage. Even the Senate, by way of assuming jurisdiction over the Articles of Impeachment, they have already convened as an impeachment court. It only proves to say that that’s already something that is already done, that is already settled,” he said.
He said the public expected the proceedings to move toward addressing the allegations, including the alleged misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery involving Department of Education personnel, and threats against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.
“We were expecting, ang taong-bayan, inaasahan ‘yung kasagutan. Ultimately, the people really deserve to know,” he said.
Alonto Adiong said the defense instead reiterated its position that the impeachment case is procedurally flawed.
“Unfortunately, wala. Mostly, ‘yung kanilang pre-trial brief is again going back to their old narrative na everything is sham because the process by which it was initiated is already questionable,” he said.
He also cited earlier statements from the Vice President’s camp expressing readiness to respond to the allegations in the proper forum.
“Which by the way, is a direct opposite of what they have been saying to the public na ‘ready na kami. We are waiting for the right opportunity, the right forum. We are ready to answer this at the proper forum.’ So, sorry pero frustrated ang taong bayan,” he added.