HOUSE Assistant Majority Leader and impeachment trial spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong emphasized that the proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte give Filipinos the right to see and examine all evidence, stressing that the process is anchored on constitutional accountability rather than political interests.
Adiong, who also chairs the Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, noted that the trial centers on upholding the Constitution itself. “Although the Vice President is the one being tried, it is actually the Constitution that stands in judgment over her. What is at stake here is the accountability mechanism provided by our fundamental law, which states that no one is above it,” he said in an interview over GMA’s Balitanghali.
Adiong detailed the serious allegations contained in the Articles of Impeachment, citing findings from government agencies as evidence of violations. These include discrepancies in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN), where the Anti‑Money Laundering Council reported billions of pesos in transactions in her and her husband’s accounts dating back to 2006, despite declaring only ₱88.4 million in net worth with no cash or bank deposits in her 2024 SALN.
He also pointed out state auditors’ ruling that ₱73 million in confidential funds were used outside authorized guidelines and ordered restitution, while other portions of the funds were marked as disallowed expenses. Additional charges involve alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta‑Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.
The lawmaker stressed that transparency is essential since public officials derive their authority from the people. “Filipinos deserve to know the truth and receive verified information, especially amid the spread of disinformation online. They should be able to judge for themselves if the evidence shows violations of the Constitution,” Adiong said. He added that the process works both ways: while the prosecution presents its case, the vice president is also given the full opportunity to answer the allegations and clear her name before the court.
As preparations advance, the 11‑member prosecution panel has organized itself into four teams assigned to handle each specific charge. Rep. Gerville Luistro will lead on confidential fund misuse, Rep. Terry Ridon on unexplained wealth, Rep. Joel Chua on bribery, and Rep. Lorenz Defensor on grave threats. Following the Senate’s formal convening as an Impeachment Court, a summons has been issued requiring Duterte to file her response within ten days, after which the prosecution will have five days to reply. The trial proper will then proceed, requiring at least 16 votes from the 24 senator‑judges to reach a conviction.
