HOUSE trial spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur on Wednesday said the House prosecution panel designated spokespersons for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte to explain the proceedings clearly to the public and help counter disinformation as the case unfolds before the Senate impeachment court.
Alonto Adiong, a House Assistant Majority Leader and chairman of the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, said the trial will be followed closely by the country and must be explained in language ordinary Filipinos can understand.
“Unang-una, pag nag-umpisa po ang actual trial sa Senado, siyempre mag-focus ang ating prosecution ng kanilang sarili-sariling assignment, ‘yung pagpapresenta ng kanilang mga ebidensya, lalong-lalo na ito pinag-uusapan natin na impeachment trial. Ang buong bansa ang makikinig at magsusubaybay sa impeachment court na ito,” Alonto Adiong said during a dzMM interview.
The Lanao del Sur House leader said prosecutors should be allowed to concentrate on the evidence, legal theory and arguments before the impeachment court instead of being pulled into multiple interviews during trial days.
“Dapat ho focus talaga sila. Pangalawa, ito ang nakita natin para diresto pong ma-address kung ano ang mga katanungan ng ating mga kababayan,” Alonto Adiong noted.
The House prosecution panel named Alonto Adiong and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co as spokespersons for the trial, a role meant to help the public follow a proceeding that will involve constitutional questions, trial rules, evidence and legal terms.
“So minamarapat natin ang House Prosecution Team na merong maging tulay para ma-explain at ma-laymanize ika nga sa ating mga kababayan kung ano ang napag-uusapan doon sa korte at ang salient points na nire-raise during the actual trial,” Alonto Adiong added.
Alonto Adiong said the communications role is also meant to guard the process against false narratives, especially with the impeachment case already dominating social media and partisan discussions.
“Pangatlo, isa rin ito sa mga mekanismo para masugpo ang mga posibleng magiging source of disinformation and misinformation. Alam naman natin kung paano ang galawan ngayon sa social media,” Alonto Adiong stressed.
He said the House prosecution panel wants a steady explanation of the trial, not because it seeks to replace the work of the impeachment court, but because the public deserves clear and consistent information while the proceedings are ongoing.
“So mas minararapat ng House prosecution panel na magkaroon ng consistent narrative para ma-explain sa ating taong bayan, maintindihan with clarity ng ating taong bayan,” Alonto Adiong emphasized.
The House earlier voted 257-25-9 to impeach Duterte and transmit the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate, where senators have taken their oath as judges.
“Dahil naintindihan po natin na hindi lang ito trial or denying trial. Ang Constitution po ang nagbibigay kapangyarihan sa Senado para po dinggin at litisin yung mga impeachable officers na mayroon pong allegation of violation sa Constitution,” Alonto Adiong pointed out.
The prosecution spokesperson said previous impeachment proceedings also had designated officials who helped explain the case to the public while the trial was being heard.
“At na-experience naman natin ito nung nakaraang mga impeachment proceedings na meron din silang inatasan na tagapagsalita para mailahad sa publiko na mas madaling maintindihan ng ating mga ordinaryong kababayan,” Alonto Adiong recalled.
Alonto Adiong said he accepted the task with gratitude to the prosecution team, while recognizing the need to study the evidence, arguments and proceedings carefully as trial work begins.
“Well, siyempre ito ay mataas na tungkulin. Unang-una nagpapasalamat tayo sa House Prosecution Team dahil meron silang tiwala sa atin na pwede tayong maging tulay para ma-explain sa publiko kung anong nangyayari during the actual trial,” Alonto Adiong said.
“So siyempre, kailangan din natin mag-catch up sa mga bagay ng pag-uusapan sa actual trial, lalong-lalo na yung mga bagay na ipapresenta, ‘yung mga ebidensya at mga arguments na ipapresenta ng ating prosecution team. Mag-aaral din tayo,” Alonto Adiong added
