HOUSE trial spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong on Thursday questioned proposals allowing senators to participate and vote remotely during Senate proceedings, warning that a “Zoom impeachment” could weaken accountability and public confidence in the constitutional process.
During an ANC interview, Alonto Adiong compared remote Senate participation in the impending impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte to the learning losses experienced during pandemic-era online classes.
Alonto Adiong, who sits in the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2), said the country had already seen the negative effects of remote participation during the pandemic.
“Nung ina-allow po ‘yung Zoom classes, medyo bumaba po ‘yung kalidad ng ating mga estudyante,” the Lanao del Sur House leader said.
“That’s why ito po ‘yung mga ginagawa na panukala ng EDCOM 2 na ma-address itong problema na epekto ng pandemic dahil sa mga remote participation, remote classes via Zoom,” Alonto Adiong, a House Assistant Majority Leader and chairman of the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, added.
He said the same concerns apply even more in an impeachment trial, where senator-judges are expected to personally hear testimonies, examine evidence and determine accountability under the Constitution.
“Imagine in the Senate, imagine in the impeachment court. Ang pinag-uusapan po dito Constitution. No matter how high you have obtained in terms of the positions that you were elected to, ay hindi nangangahulugan na hindi ka aabutin ng accountability mechanism ng ating Constitution,” he said.
Alonto Adiong stressed that the physical presence of senator-judges is indispensable in impeachment proceedings.
“In a trial court, kasi ‘pag nandun po ‘yung testigo dyan sa witness stand, the judge also examines and observes the mannerism — ‘yung kanyang pananalita ‘pag kino-cross-examine ito,” Alonto Adiong said.
“Importante din po ‘yung kanyang kabuuan na disposition during the cross-examination or pag-presentation ng mga evidence,” he added.
The remarks came after tensions flared in the Senate over a proposal to amend chamber rules to allow senators to participate in sessions remotely for “justifiable reasons,” beyond the current limitation of force majeure or national emergencies.
The issue triggered heated debates and a walkout by minority senators, who accused the majority bloc of trying to railroad the proposed amendment ahead of Duterte’s impeachment trial.
