House prosecution spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong has criticized moves by some senators to pursue a Blue Ribbon Committee inquiry outside Senate premises, saying it risks diverting public attention from the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Rep. Adiong described the reported initiative as a “PR stunt” and a “diversionary tactic,” stressing that the impeachment proceedings remain the Senate’s constitutional priority. He said the House prosecution team expects the impeachment court to focus on its scheduled pre-trial on June 18 and the formal trial set for July 6.
He, however, clarified that his remarks reflect his personal view and not necessarily the official position of the House prosecution panel.
“For us, the impeachment trial is the constitutionally mandated priority of the Senate. The Senate has already convened as an impeachment court,” Adiong said, adding that any parallel hearings risk shifting attention away from the constitutional process.
Impeachment prosecutor Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora said the House prosecution team continues to recognize acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian and is filing pleadings under his leadership. She noted that while senators may express their views, formal inquiries in aid of legislation must still be sanctioned by Senate leadership.
Lead prosecutor Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro echoed the same position, saying that while lawmakers may exercise freedom of expression, legitimate Senate investigations must fall within the authority of the current leadership structure.