The public should judge Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s impeachment case based on evidence presented before the Senate impeachment court rather than on distorted narratives spreading across social media, House and private prosecutors said.
House prosecutor and Manila Rep. Joel Chua and private prosecutor Atty. Lorna Kapunan issued the appeal amid what they described as fake and misleading online posts about the proceedings.
Chua said the prosecution would continue explaining the trial in language ordinary Filipinos could easily understand, allowing the public to compare social media claims with witness testimony and documentary evidence presented in court.
“Kami sa prosecution, iyong katotohanan lang ang gusto namin,” Chua said during a press conference at the House of Representatives.
He said the public would hear documentary and testimonial evidence, as well as accounts from witnesses who would undergo direct examination by the prosecution, cross-examination by the defense, and clarificatory questioning from senator-judges.
Chua identified Ramil Madriaga as one of the anticipated witnesses whose previous statements could be tested through cross-examination once the prosecution presents the relevant Article of Impeachment.
He said the trial would allow Madriaga’s testimony to be thoroughly scrutinized in open court instead of being judged through competing claims circulating online.
“Kaya hinihikayat natin ang ating mga kababayan na subaybayan ang impeachment trial nang sa ganoon ay hindi sila mapepeke,” Chua said.
The prosecution is expected to complete its presentation of evidence on Article IV, which concerns Duterte’s alleged threats against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and then-Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.
It will then proceed to the charge involving the alleged misuse of confidential funds.
Kapunan said the public has the right to receive accurate information about the evidence and arguments raised during the constitutional proceedings.
“Karapatan po nating lahat na mga mamamayan. Mayroon tayong right to information,” Kapunan said. “Information po iyan. Huwag disinformation, huwag wrong information,” she added.
She urged the public to assess the source, substance, and weight of the information being presented rather than measure the case through the number of posts, accounts or reactions supporting either side.
“Let us learn to discern. Tingnan natin, sino ba ang nagsasabi ng totoo dito? Ano ba iyong ebidensya, iyong bigat ng ebidensya?” she said.
Kapunan said any increase in troll activity should be viewed as a sign of frustration rather than proof of public sentiment.
She also rejected the suggestion that dominance on social media indicated public support for corruption or the misuse of public funds.
Kapunan called on legitimate news organizations to continue reporting factual and accurate information while exposing coordinated disinformation and misleading content that undermine the integrity of the information environment and public trust in the media.
She stressed that the proceedings should not be reduced to competing hashtags, personal attacks, or claims of online dominance.
“Accountability po ang pinag-uusapan,” Kapunan said.