IMPEACHMENT prosecutor and Mamamayang Liberal Party-list (PL) Rep. Leila de Lima on Monday warned the public to expect more disinformation, fake news, and distorted narratives as the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte move closer to trial.
De Lima issued the warning amid online claims and competing narratives surrounding the ongoing pre-trial proceedings before the Senate impeachment court.
“As these proceedings progress, we can expect more of that, more of disinformation, more of fake news, more of factual distortions, spins of the real stories, of the things that happen as the proceedings progress, lalo na pagdating natin sa trial proper,” De Lima said during a press briefing at the Senate.
De Lima was joined by House prosecution team, led by Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro of Batangas in the press briefing to provide updates on the pre-trial conference for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte.
During the event, Luistro introduced Atty. Benjamin Tolosa, Jr. as the legal spokesperson of the prosecution and to be named soon as a private prosecutor. Joining Luistro in the press briefing were fellow prosecutors, namely Reps. Lordan Suan (Cagayan de Oro City), Ysabel Maria Zamora (San Juan), Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno (Akbayan), Leila de Lima (Mamamayang Liberal), Joel Chua (Manila), and Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez (1-Rider).
De Lima urged both the public and the media to be vigilant in evaluating information related to the impeachment case, particularly those circulating on social media.
“So we just have to be very circumspect and careful about receiving things and in our reporting,” she said.
De Lima noted that the impeachment trial is among the most closely watched political and constitutional proceedings in the country, making it susceptible to attempts to shape public opinion through misinformation.
“This is a highly charged event, of course, in the country,” she said.
She warned that certain groups may seek to influence public perception by misrepresenting developments in the proceedings.
“Certain players might be doing things that will again try to undermine, especially, the cause of the prosecution,” De Lima said.
The warning came after House prosecutors rejected social media claims that the prosecution panel had been outperformed by the defense during the June 18 pre-trial conference.
The House prosecution panel has repeatedly stressed the importance of accurate reporting and public access to verified information as preparations continue for the July 6 start of the impeachment trial.
