HOUSE trial spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong has said the House prosecution panel’s confidence in securing the conviction of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte rests on the strength of its evidence, not on the legal troubles confronting some senators associated with her.
Alonto Adiong was asked whether the prosecution panel had become more confident as some senators perceived to be allies of Duterte, including Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, faced separate issues unrelated to the impeachment case.
“Well, yes. But the House prosecution panel has confidence in our evidence that we already obtained and we will present to the impeachment court,” Alonto Adiong said.
The House prosecution team is preparing to present its case before the Senate impeachment court, where Duterte will face trial over allegations that include the misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery and threats to the country’s top officials.
Alonto Adiong stressed that the cases involving individual senators are unrelated to the impeachment proceedings.
“If you look at individual cases that the individual senators are now facing, ito po ‘yung mga kaso na walang connection sa impeachment trial na ito,” he said.
“It is also beyond our control that, again, unfortunately, some of the senators now that faces individual legal battles happen to be associated or happen to be in a group associated with the Vice President,” he said.
The House spokesperson said neither the prosecution panel nor supporters of the impeachment trial had anything to do with those cases.
“And that is already beyond our control. That is not something that is deliberately done by any of the agencies in our government nor neither any individual or group that might also be supporting this impeachment trial,” he pointed out.
Alonto Adiong said the prosecution’s focus remains on accountability and adherence to the Constitution.
“Again, let me also reiterate that we don’t wish any ill will against anyone, especially our members of our co-equal branch. But then again, we have to also stand side by side with the Constitution and allow accountability for any public officers,” he said.
He said all public officials are bound by their oath to uphold the Constitution and answer allegations through lawful processes.
“Because in the first place, before our election, we have sworn to abide by the Constitution. And we have sworn that we will face any charges that may lay before us,” Alonto Adiong said.
He also said the rule of law must be respected regardless of one’s position on the impeachment case.
