THE House prosecution panel is 100 percent ready for the opening of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s impeachment trial on Monday, House prosecution spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur said on Sunday, expressing confidence that the team has completed months of preparation for the historic proceedings.
“We are 100 percent ready. Our prosecutors, our legal team, and everyone supporting the prosecution have worked tirelessly to prepare for this constitutional duty. We are ready to present our case before the Senate Impeachment Court,” Alonto Adiong said.
Alonto Adiong stressed that while the prosecution is fully prepared, the public should also understand that the first day of trial will focus primarily on legal and procedural matters, not yet on the presentation of witnesses and documentary evidence.
“Marami ang umaasang may mga testigo agad bukas. Pero ang unang araw ay nakalaan para sa opening of the trial, opening statements, at pagresolba ng mga legal at procedural issues. Normal iyan sa anumang seryosong paglilitis,” he explained.
According to Alonto Adiong, the prosecution welcomes the start of the trial because it finally provides the proper constitutional forum where both sides can present their respective cases.
“Matagal na naming hinihintay ang araw na ito. Sa wakas, magsisimula na ang proseso kung saan ang mga argumento ay ihaharap sa hukuman at, sa tamang panahon, ang ebidensya ay ilalatag sa Impeachment Court,” he said.
He emphasized that the prosecution’s focus remains on proving the Articles of Impeachment through evidence rather than engaging in public debate.
“Hindi namin layunin ang makipagpalitan ng soundbite o makipagtagisan ng pulitika. Ang layunin namin ay simple—ilatag ang ebidensya, sundin ang proseso, at hayaan ang Impeachment Court na magpasya batay sa batas at sa mga katotohanan,” Alonto Adiong said.
The Lanao del Sur House leader likewise assured the public that the prosecution will respect every ruling of the Senate sitting as an Impeachment Court.
“Nirerespeto namin ang Impeachment Court at ang proseso nito. Anuman ang maging mga procedural rulings, susundin namin ang mga ito at ipagpapatuloy namin ang aming tungkulin bilang mga kinatawan ng House of Representatives,” he said.
Alonto Adiong said Monday marks an important moment not only for the prosecution but also for the country’s constitutional institutions.
“Ang pinakamahalagang mangyayari bukas ay hindi kung sino ang mas mahusay magsalita. Ang pinakamahalaga ay nagsisimula na ang impeachment trial. Gumagana ang ating Konstitusyon at gumagalaw ang ating mga institusyon ayon sa itinakdang proseso,” Alonto Adiong said.
metrosundaily
