HOUSE trial spokespersons Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur and Renee Louise Co pf Kabataan Party-list and legal spokesperson Atty. Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr. on Monday said the Article on grave threats will be taken up first in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte because it is the clearest and most immediately understandable allegation for the public.
Tolosa said the prosecution chose to begin with the threats Article because its factual issues are less complicated than the financial Articles of Impeachment.
“Ito ang Article of Impeachment na pinakamadaling masundan, hindi lang ng impeachment court, kundi ng mga kababayan natin,” Tolosa said.
He said the prosecution does not need to present numerous witnesses to prove that the alleged statements were made.
“Hindi na kailangan mag-presenta pa ng napakaraming testigo para mapatunayan na ito ay nangyari,” Tolosa said.
Tolosa said the video itself contains the alleged statements against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, including the alleged reference to an assassin.
“Malinaw din doon na bukod sa pinagbantaan, sinabi na may kasunduan na sa isang assassin para gawin ito,” Tolosa said.
He said the Article is a logical starting point because it is easier to follow than the fund-related allegations.
“Dahil ang mga factual issues dito are less complicated compared to other financially related Articles of Impeachment, mas madali ito, so minabuti namin na dito tayo magsimula,” Tolosa said.
Co said the prosecution wants the public to follow the trial in a way that answers the questions raised when the alleged threats were first made public.
“The press conference about the threats, napanood ‘yan ng buong lahat ng mga mamamayan,” Co said. She said the prosecution will present the issues step by step so the process can serve accountability.
“We will go through as they go para makamit natin sa puno’t dulo ‘yung proseso ng pananagutan,” Co said.
Alonto Adiong said the threats Article is also the easiest for ordinary Filipinos to relate to because it involves basic decency, restraint, and the expectation that public officials should not threaten others.
“I think sa Pilipino, mas madali kang mag-relate na hindi basta-basta magbanta,” Adiong said.
He said respect is deeply embedded in Filipino speech and conduct.
“Ang Pilipino ay disenteng tao,” Alonto Adiong said.
Alonto Adiong said the standard should be higher for someone who holds authority and influence.
“So how much more for someone who enjoys certain following, who enjoys a certain authority and mandate,” he said.
He said the threats Article goes to the question of whether Duterte remains fit to serve as Vice President, based on alleged conduct that undermines the rule of law.
“Pinag-uusapan natin issues fitting to continue on as Vice President based on behavior and propensity to say things that undermines the rule of law, the principle that no one should take justice into their own hands,” Alonto Adiong said.
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