HOUSE trial spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong on Saturday called on civil society groups, the academe, media institutions, churches, and independent fact-checkers to work together in combating the growing wave of disinformation surrounding the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Alonto Adiong issued the appeal after Sen. Imee Marcos claimed that moves were allegedly underway to convene a Constituent Assembly to extend the terms of lawmakers, prolong President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s term until 2031, cancel the 2028 elections, or raise the presidential age requirement to disqualify Duterte. Daily Tribune reported that Marcos linked the supposed plan to fears that Duterte could survive impeachment and still seek the presidency in 2028.
“Sa lakas ng ebidensya, ang ipinantatapat na lang nila ay fake news. Kapag hindi kayang harapin ang Articles of Impeachment, gumagawa sila ng bagong multo para takutin ang tao,” Alonto Adiong said.
Alonto Adiong said such allegations must be subjected to the same standards applied to any serious public claim — evidence, official documents, and credible testimony. Without proof, he said, these narratives merely serve as political diversions from the actual impeachment case now before the Senate impeachment court.
The Senate formally convened as an impeachment court on May 18, while the Office of the Vice President received the writ of summons on May 20. Sen. Erwin Tulfo earlier said trial proceedings are expected to begin on July 6, with impeachment hearings to be conducted after regular Senate sessions.
“Hindi ito simpleng tsismis lang. These narratives are designed to deflect, distract, and poison public understanding before the Senate trial even hears the evidence,” Alonto Adiong said.
He stressed that public attention should remain focused on the Articles of Impeachment, which include allegations involving misuse of public funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, and threats against the President, the First Lady, and a former House Speaker. Duterte has denied wrongdoing and described the impeachment case as politically motivated.
“Ang tanong ngayon ay simple: nasaan ang paliwanag sa confidential funds, liquidation records, SALN issues, cash envelopes, at banta? Iyon ang kaso. Huwag nating hayaang tabunan ito ng fake news,” Alonto Adiong said.
Alonto Adiong added that the impeachment proceedings should also serve as a national civic education moment, where Filipinos learn to distinguish evidence from insinuation, constitutional accountability from political noise, and truth from propaganda.
He urged universities, student publications, newsrooms, fact-checking organizations, legal groups, and civic formations to actively monitor impeachment-related claims, trace their sources, demand proof, and swiftly correct falsehoods.
“Hindi lang sila basta mga chismosang marites. Kapag sinasadya mong magpakalat ng kasinungalingan para ilihis ang hustisya, kalaban ka na ng katotohanan at pananagutan,” Alonto Adiong said.
Alonto Adiong warned that disinformation thrives by planting doubt before facts are fully presented, a tactic he said is especially dangerous in an impeachment trial where public trust in democratic institutions depends on evidence-based discourse.
“If there is evidence, present it. If there is none, stop using fear as a political shield. The Senate trial must be about facts, accountability, and the state of our democracy,” Alonto Adiong said.
He said fact-checking has now become part of protecting the integrity of the impeachment process itself.
“Fact-checking is not a side issue anymore. It is part of defending justice, because the first target of those afraid of accountability is always the truth,” Alonto Adiong said.
