HOUSE trial spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur on Tuesday welcomed the launch of “Bantay Senado,” saying citizens have a crucial role in helping ensure that the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte remains transparent, fair and accountable.
Alonto Adiong said the formation of a citizens’ watchdog ahead of the Senate proceedings demonstrates the growing public interest in a case he earlier described as a “litmus test” for Philippine democracy.
“We welcome this initiative because citizens have an important role to play in ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the impeachment process,” Alonto Adiong said.
“The impeachment trial is not only about the prosecution, the defense, or the senator-judges. It is a constitutional process being undertaken in the name of the Filipino people,” he said.
Bantay Senado, a non-partisan coalition of students, academics, lawyers, civil society groups and concerned citizens, formally launched Monday at De La Salle University Manila.
The group said it would monitor the impeachment proceedings and help ensure that the trial is conducted in a constitutional, fair, impartial and transparent manner.
Its organizers stressed that they take no position on the guilt or innocence of Duterte and instead seek to promote public oversight and understanding of the impeachment process.
Alonto Adiong said the initiative comes at a crucial time as the country prepares for what could be one of the most closely watched constitutional proceedings in recent history.
He noted that the trial would unfold amid an information environment increasingly shaped by social media, livestreaming platforms and artificial intelligence.
“Napakahalaga ng papel ng mamamayan ngayon dahil hindi lang ito laban ng ebidensya sa loob ng impeachment court. Ito rin ay laban para sa katotohanan sa gitna ng napakaraming misinformation at disinformation,” he said.
Alonto Adiong has repeatedly warned that coordinated disinformation efforts could undermine public understanding of the proceedings and weaken confidence in democratic institutions.
He said citizen-led initiatives that encourage public engagement and fact-based discussions can help counter false narratives and strengthen trust in the constitutional process.
“Ang pinakamahalaga ay manatiling nakatuon ang taumbayan sa mga ebidensya, sa mga katotohanan, at sa proseso na itinatadhana ng Konstitusyon,” he said.
The House of Representatives had impeached Duterte and transmitted the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate, which has already convened as an impeachment court.
Duterte is accused of misusing confidential funds, amassing unexplained wealth, bribing education officials, and issuing threats President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.
Alonto Adiong said public scrutiny would help reinforce the credibility of the impeachment proceedings regardless of the outcome.
“At the end of the day, transparency strengthens trust. The more Filipinos understand and follow the process, the stronger our democratic institutions become,” he said.
Bantay Senado currently has more than 350 volunteers nationwide and plans to conduct public education campaigns, community town halls, volunteer training activities and trial-monitoring efforts ahead of and during the impeachment trial.
