HOUSE trial spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur has said that the Senate impeachment court has been conducting Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s trial fairly and efficiently despite public skepticism about its ability to deliver an impartial verdict.
“I think the way that our—that the court is handling this impeachment trial, sa amin pong palagay ay, ano, patas po naman talaga, no, ang kanilang pagha-handle nito,” Alonto Adiong maintained.
Alonto Adiong discussed the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showing that only 28% of Filipinos had much trust in the Senate’s ability to deliver a fair verdict, while 35% expressed little trust and 32% remained undecided.
“Well, kami naman sa House Prosecution Panel, ‘di ba, consistent naman po talaga tayo na sinasabi po natin na nirerespeto natin, kino-comply po natin kung ano po ‘yung mga directive—direktiba ng korte, no?” Alonto Adiong explained.
Despite the negative net trust rating, the same survey found that 50% of adult Filipinos believed the Senate impeachment court was giving both sides proper consideration, while 51% agreed that its final decision should be accepted whether Duterte is convicted or acquitted.
The survey was conducted from September 21 to 27, before prosecutors withdrew three of the four impeachment articles and completed the presentation of the remaining Article II on Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth.
“Ang presiding officer po natin, naiintindihan po natin na ang kanyang trabaho, hindi ho madali, no?” Alonto Adiong acknowledged.
Alonto Adiong emphasized the difficulties confronting the presiding officer in balancing the legal requirements of impeachment with the political responsibilities of the senator-judges, who must assess the evidence while continuing their duties as legislators.
“You have to balance yung sinasabi nilang sui generis nature ng impeachment trial, no— one is legal, the other one is political,” he explained.
The House prosecution’s decision to withdraw the alleged misuse of confidential funds, bribery and grave threats articles has also shortened the remaining proceedings, allowing the court to concentrate on the allegations of unexplained wealth while accommodating its legislative responsibilities.
“Kasi kaya nga po natin naisip na, o sige, huwag na natin—we will not burden our—that’s the Senate and as well as the public—with a long trial, no?” Alonto Adiong pointed out.
Senate impeachment court spokesperson Reginald Tongol previously emphasized that the senator-judges must decide the case according to the law and admissible evidence rather than public opinion, while acknowledging that the survey highlighted the importance of maintaining public confidence in the proceedings.
“So I think, going back to your question, I think the Senate is doing—the impeachment court is doing a very efficient job,” Alonto Adiong stressed, underscoring the prosecution’s position that the remaining case should be resolved through the court’s established procedures and the evidence presented by both sides.
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