THE impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte will give Filipinos the opportunity to see how their money was spent and whether public funds were used in accordance with the law, a spokesperson for the House prosecution panel said Friday.
House impeachment trial spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the case is ultimately about public accountability because it involves taxpayers’ money and the constitutional duty of public officials to safeguard it.
“So ultimately, all in all, this is for the interest of the public dahil pera nila ang pinag-usapan natin at dapat lang na malaman nila kung saan napunta ang kanilang pera,” Alonto Adiong said during a press briefing via Zoom.
He said the impeachment trial will focus not only on the allegations against Duterte but also on the constitutional principles that govern public office.
“I would like to think that this is very, you know, the interest of the public is exactly what is under trial here because we’re talking about the principle that no one should be above the law,” Alonto Adiong said.
The Mindanao House leader added that the prosecution will also underscore the constitutional principle that public office is a public trust.
“Public office is a public trust, so ang tiwala ng taong bayan dapat suklian ng tapat na pagseserbisyo,” he said.
Alonto Adiong said prosecutors will relate those principles to the Articles of Impeachment, including the allegation of unexplained wealth.
“Ibabangga po natin ’yan doon sa unexplained wealth kung saan napupunta ‘yung mga hindi napapaliwanag na yaman, the way by which a public officer especially if it’s an elected, the trust that has given to her or to him,” he said.
He added that the prosecution will likewise present evidence relating to the alleged misuse of confidential funds, citing findings by the Commission on Audit (COA).
“Ibabangga po natin sa confidential funds ’yan kasi very clear po ang sinabi ng COA, kailangan ibalik na ’yan dahil hindi tama at mali ang paggasta ng pera ng taong bayan sa confidential funds,” Alonto Adiong said.
Duterte is facing trial over allegations that she misused P612.5 million in confidential funds, amassed billions of pesos in unexplained wealth, bribed Department of Education personnel, and threatened the country’s top officials.
The Senate impeachment court is scheduled to begin hearing witnesses and receiving documentary evidence on July 6 after completing pre-trial proceedings on June 25.
metrosundaily
