Schools, law schools, communities, and civil society groups were urged to organize watch parties and public discussions for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte to help Filipinos follow the proceedings more critically.
The House prosecution panel said the trial should not be treated as a passive media event, as it involves constitutional issues, public funds, accountability, and allegations that citizens have long sought to be answered.
“Siguro puwede pong we hash out the finer details in the coming days. Pero ang inaasahan din natin may livestream ang Senate, may livestream ang House of Representatives,” House trial spokesperson Renee Co said.
She said mainstream media is expected to provide regular updates, but citizens should also create their own spaces for discussion and analysis.
“Makikita din natin, I’m sure, ang mga media nakaantabay at blow-by-blow prepared na magbigay ng updates sa mamamayan. So inaasahan natin na engaged ang taong bayan,” she added.
She said that community viewing sessions could help expand public participation by allowing people to study the Articles of Impeachment, understand the process, and form their own judgment on the proceedings.
“And dagdag ko na lang dito sa proseso ng pagpapalawak ng political participation, in-encourage din natin ang lahat na magkaroon ng sariling livestreams. I’m sure meron ‘yan sa ating mga bahay, sa classrooms, pero magtipon din tayo sana para pag-usapan ‘yung issue,” the solon said.
“Beyond siyempre sa pagbasa ng updates at pagbasa ng interpretations, tayo mismo ay gumawa ng sarili nating kritikal na pagtanggap doon sa mga nangyayari,” she added.
Another member of the prosecution panel backed the proposal, urging law schools and educational institutions to organize their own watch activities to help explain the impeachment process to students and the public.
“Maidagdag ko lang po, may ilang initiatives ang some school and civil society groups na bantayan ‘yung mangyayaring paglilitis. At ako’y nananawagan at nagsusuggest din lalong lalo na sa mga law schools at iba’t ibang mga paaralan na maganda siguro kung magkaroon din tayo ng mga watch parties para mapaliwanagan tayo at maintindihan natin ang proseso,” Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno said.
The panel said the trial also carries a generational weight, as young Filipinos will inherit the public institutions shaped by today’s accountability processes.
“Ang maayos na paglilitis, ang pagtuloy-tuloy na mga hakbang ng trial at ang pag-ensure nating lahat nito ay investment sa lahat ng kabataan,” Co said.
She said youth groups are prepared to help broaden participation in the proceedings so the trial becomes not only a Senate process but also a public lesson in accountability.
“Handa po ang kabataan na gawin ang lahat ng makakaya para ang mga proseso na ito ay magtuloy-tuloy, maisayos at maisama ang pinakamarami,” she said. “Kaya po ang panawagan nating muli, start the trial forthwith, makuha na ‘yung sagot hindi lang ni VP Sara pero yung katotohanan dito sa mga nangyayaring issues sa bansa natin.”