Courtesy: Alonto Adiong FB page
HOUSE trial spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur on Thursday said the Filipino people expect the House prosecution panel to conduct itself with professionalism, discipline, and full respect for due process as the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is set to begin on July 6.
“The people expect truth—not political theater,” Alonto Adiong said.
“As House trial spokesperson, our responsibility is not to create noise or spectacle. Our duty is to present the evidence clearly, professionally, and in accordance with the Constitution,” he added.
At the same time, Alonto Adiong said the House prosecution panel remains fully prepared and ready to proceed with the impeachment trial of Duterte once the Senate impeachment court issues its formal schedule.
Alonto Adiong said the prosecution panel has yet to receive any official communication from the impeachment court regarding the timetable for the proceedings, but stressed that the 11-member panel stands ready to comply with whatever schedule the Senate may set.
“We have not yet received any formal notice from the Honorable Impeachment Court regarding the schedule of the proceedings of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte,” Alonto Adiong said.
“Nevertheless, the 11-member prosecution panel remains fully prepared and stands ready to proceed on whatever schedule the Honorable Court may determine,” he added.
Alonto Adiong stressed that the impeachment proceedings should not be viewed through the lens of regional or political divisions.
“Bilang kinatawan mula sa Mindanao, nais kong malinaw: ang impeachment trial na ito ay hindi laban sa Mindanao, hindi laban sa Davao, at hindi laban sa anumang rehiyon. Ito ay constitutional process na itinatadhana ng ating batas,” he said.
He emphasized that the overwhelming vote of 257 members of the House of Representatives from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao reflected the collective judgment of elected representatives from across the country that the evidence deserves to be heard fully before the Senate impeachment court.
“Ang hinihingi lamang ng sambayanan ay simple: hayaang marinig ang ebidensya,” Alonto Adiong said.
“The Filipino people deserve a fair, open, and fact-based trial. Hindi ingay ng pulitika ang dapat manaig, kundi katotohanan at due process,” he added.
Alonto Adiong likewise underscored that the House prosecution panel is fully prepared to present documentary evidence, official records, and sworn testimonies in support of the Articles of Impeachment.
“This case must be decided on evidence—not on slogans, political pressure, or social media narratives,” he said.
As the Senate prepares to convene as an impeachment court on July 6, Alonto Adiong said the proceedings would serve as an important test of the country’s democratic institutions.
“July 6 is not the start of persecution. It is the start of due process,” he said.
“Sa huli, hindi lamang mga personalidad ang huhusgahan ng kasaysayan, kundi kung paano ipinagtanggol ng ating mga institusyon ang katotohanan, pananagutan, at ang Konstitusyon sa panahon na pinakamahalaga ito,” Alonto Adiong added.
