HOUSE trial spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur on Sunday expressed concern that a senator-judge may have prejudged the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte after a social media post declared that the prosecution was making accusations without evidence while the trial remains ongoing.
Alonto Adiong was referring to a Facebook post by Senator-Judge Pia Cayetano featuring an edited video of the proceedings and bearing the caption: “Nagbabakasakali lang? Walang mga ebidensya pero nag-aakusa na!”
Adiong said the greater concern was not the edited video itself but the caption, which he said suggested that the prosecution was making accusations without evidence.
“Ang isang senator-judge ay dapat makinig muna sa buong kaso. Dapat timbangin ang lahat ng ebidensya bago magbigay ng anumang konklusyon,” Alonto Adiong said.
Cayetano’s post came after oral arguments on the House prosecution’s request to subpoena the financial and tax records of Duterte, her husband, Atty. Manases “Mans” Carpio, and their business interests.
During the hearing, the prosecution argued that the request was supported by Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) reports and other evidence already in its possession. The Senate impeachment court later granted the subpoena request.
“Habang nagpapatuloy ang paglilitis, mahalagang iwasan ang anumang pahayag na maaaring magbigay ng impresyon na ang prosecution ay nag-aakusa nang walang ebidensya. Ang lahat ng ebidensya ay dapat munang marinig at timbangin ng hukuman,” Alonto Adiong said.
Alonto Adiong said he personally witnessed the proceedings and rejected the suggestion that the prosecution was acting without evidence.
“Nandoon ako. Personal kong nasaksihan ang buong proceedings. Ang prosecution ay nasa proseso ng paglalahad, pag-authenticate at pagpapaliwanag ng ebidensya nito,” he said.
He added that the caption also raises concerns under the Senate impeachment court’s sub judice rule, which bars statements that touch on the merits of a pending case.
“Kapag sinabi mo na ang prosekusyon ay nag-aakusa nang walang ebidensya, mahirap sabihing hindi nito tinatamaan ang merits ng kasong dinidinig pa ng impeachment court,” Alonto Adiong said.
He said the issue is not about preventing senator-judges from expressing themselves but about preserving the appearance of fairness throughout the trial.
“Ang isang senator-judge ay hindi abogado ng alinmang panig. Ang kanyang tungkulin ay manatiling patas, bukas ang isip, at magpasya lamang pagkatapos marinig ang lahat ng ebidensya,” he said.
Alonto Adiong said public confidence in the impeachment process depends on every senator-judge remaining, and appearing to remain, impartial until all the evidence has been presented.
“Hindi lamang actual impartiality ang mahalaga. Mahalaga ring makita ng publiko na wala pang nabubuong hatol habang nagpapatuloy ang paglilitis,” he said.
metrosundaily
