The House prosecution panel is considering holding regular press briefings during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte to help explain developments before the Senate impeachment court and prevent public confusion over legal and constitutional issues.
The prosecution team is preparing for intense public attention and lengthy trial proceedings once the impeachment hearings formally begin.
“Tayo naman ay naka-ready na tayo. Alam na natin baka kunti na lang ‘yung tulog natin pag nagkataon na mag-umpisa na ang trial,” House trial spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said during a radio interview.
According to him, the prosecution panel is still discussing the final format of the media engagement, but he personally believes regular briefings would be necessary given the significance of the impeachment proceedings.
“Pinag-uusapan pa po ‘yan kung magkakaroon, pero ako in my own opinion mukhang kailangan po ‘yung magkaroon ng press briefing,” he said.
The lawmaker explained that organized press briefings would allow the media to obtain clearer information directly from the prosecution panel and reduce conflicting interpretations of developments inside the impeachment court.
“Para mas madali para sa ating mga kaibigan sa media na mailahad ang mga dapat mailahad na information at magtanong ng mga kinakailangang tanong para magkaroon ng mas clarified na information na maipapahatid sa publiko,” the solon added.
He said the prosecution sees the need for consistent public updates because Filipinos have become deeply invested in the impeachment process.
“Mukhang sa panahon ngayon dahil ating taong bayan ay talagang invested so much on the impeachment process,” Adiong said.
The House impeachment trial spokesperson noted that the Senate’s formal convening as an impeachment court strengthened expectations that the proceedings would continue under the constitutional process.
“Ngayon, pasalamat tayo dahil nag-convene na nga ang Senado. They have already worn their robes,” he said.
Adiong added that senators now recognize that trying and deciding impeachment cases is an exclusive constitutional duty of the Senate.
The prosecution panel has also begun discussing the expected flow of the proceedings, including the timelines for the Vice President’s response and the prosecution’s reply.
He said the Senate impeachment court is expected to give Duterte’s camp 10 non-extendable days to submit its answer once formally notified, while the House prosecution panel will likely be given five non-extendable days to file its reply.
“At least may premise na tayo,” the lawmaker remarked.
The House earlier voted to impeach Duterte and transmit the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate, where senator-judges have already taken their oath for the trial.