A House leader on Sunday urged the public to focus on the evidence in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, warning that political noise and public sparring should not distract from the constitutional process.
House Committee on Higher and Technical Education Chair Jude Acidre said he remains confident that the Senate will carry out its duty as an impeachment court after the House transmitted the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte.
The Senate has already convened as an impeachment court and issued a summons directing the vice president to answer the charges.
“Ako ay naniniwala na, may tiwala pa naman ako na sa kaparehong paraan na ginampanan ng mga miyembro ng Kamara ang aming role sa prosesong ito, gagampanan din naman ng mga senador ang kanilang role under the Constitution to serve as an impeachment court,” he said.
He pointed out that the proceedings are no longer a matter of political preference, but a constitutional duty that both chambers must perform.
The lawmaker noted that the House had to act once an impeachment complaint met the requirements under the Constitution.
“In the same way that kami sa House, we had no choice but we were bound by the constitutional process to initiate the impeachment after may nagsampa ng complaint,” he said.
He added that the Senate is likewise bound to perform its role under the Constitution.
While expressing trust in the process, he warned that political rhetoric surrounding the case could muddle public understanding of the trial.
“Ang worry ko lang is kung sa lahat ng ingay na ito, hindi kaya ma-distract ang taumbayan,” he emphasized.
He stressed that the case should be decided on the basis of evidence, not speculation, political positioning, or public sparring among officials.
“Itong maingay na individual senators at kung ano pang nangyayari ngayon sa political scene natin, sana hindi ito maging rason to muddle the issue,” he said.
The impeachment trial is expected to test the allegations against Duterte before the Senate, where prosecutors and the defense will present evidence and arguments.