HOUSE trial spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur urged the Senate Impeachment Court Thursday to call out Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s remarks that he said attacked its integrity and apply its sub judice rule equally to both sides.
The demand came after two prosecutors received orders to explain public statements that allegedly violated the court’s restrictions on discussing the pending case.
“I think it should be applied universally,” said Alonto Adiong, who represents Lanao del Sur’s 1st District, at a House press conference.
Asked about Duterte’s reported statements expressing distrust of the court and alleging presidential influence over the Senate, Alonto Adiong said the prosecution had observed them. He described those remarks as attacks on the court itself.
“If we are really to set the standard for all parties involved in this impeachment trial to observe with due diligence, avoiding violating the subjudice, it would also be applied to the respondent herself,” he said.
Alonto Adiong defended the prosecutors’ comments as explanations of matters already discussed in the proceedings. Asked whether the panel would formally raise its concerns, he said that remained open for discussion.
“If that requires, for example, if it necessitates for the prosecution panel to also make this as a formal manifestation, then that could possibly be done,” Alonto Adiong said.
“So pag-usapan po yan sa prosecution panel,” he added.
Presiding Officer Francis Escudero issued the show-cause orders on September 16. He did not publicly identify the recipients when announcing the action.
At Thursday’s briefing, Alonto Adiong named House Prosecutor Rep. Terry Ridon and said the other recipient was a private prosecutor. He did not provide the private prosecutor’s name.
“But we do confirm that there’s already the show cause order sa dalawang prosecutors,” he said.
Alonto Adiong confirmed receipt of the orders but said the panel had not settled its response.
“So hindi pa po namin nakita at hindi pa po napagusapan kung ano ang magiging course of action ng prosecution,” he said.
He acknowledged that the court allows both sides to air their positions and that action on public statements remained its prerogative. On Duterte’s remarks, he said:
“Those kinds of statements should be called out by the court,” Alonto Adiong said.
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