Courtesy: House of Representatives
HOUSE Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong of Lanao del Sur on Monday pushed back against claims from the Duterte camp that lawmakers were allegedly offered funds, projects and allowances to support Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s impeachment, saying the charge unfairly insults not only the 257 House members who voted for impeachment but also the 69 percent of Filipinos who want the case heard in the Senate.
“Actually, hindi lang naman ang House of Representatives who are supportive of the impeachment, even the general public, 69% according to OCTA Research nagsasabing kinakailangan ito mapunta sa Senado, mapakinggan ang ebidensya to hold the VP to account,” Adiong, who chairs the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, said during an interview on The Newsmaker over NewsWatch Plus PH.
Adiong stressed that support for the impeachment process may also come from citizens and lawmakers who believe that powerful officials must answer serious allegations before the proper constitutional forum.
“Ibig sabihin ba lahat ng sektor na pumapabor dito sa impeachment ay binabayaran? Wala na ba ang pagiging Pilipino natin?” Adiong asked.
“Hindi ba pwedeng you’re standing on the principle of rule of law, of accountability and transparency and holding powerful to account?” he added.
Adiong made the statement after the House of Representatives voted 257-25-9 to approve the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte and transmit the case to the Senate for trial.
The House vote far exceeded the one-third constitutional threshold – 257 in total – needed to impeach Duterte and send the case to the Senate, where senators are expected to sit as judges in an impeachment trial.
The Articles of Impeachment cover allegations involving the misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, alleged bribery of education officials and alleged threats against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former Speaker Martin G. Romualdez.
Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte earlier claimed that some lawmakers were allegedly offered at least P200 million worth of infrastructure projects, monthly allowances and upfront funds to support the impeachment of his sister.
Adiong rejected the allegation as a recycled attack meant to cast doubt on lawmakers who supported impeachment instead of answering the evidence cited in the proceedings.
“Itong mga scare tactics kasi this is actually countering the very principle of upholding powerful to account,” Adiong said.
“Yung accountability transparency, rule of law na sinasabi sa Constitution, yung mandate ng ating Kongreso na binigay ng Constitution,” he added.
The Lanao del Sur House leader said the issue should remain anchored on evidence and accountability, especially after the Justice Committee found probable cause in the impeachment complaints.
“Pagbabalewalain mo lang, sumisigaw na ang mga ebidensya, pagbabalewalain mo lang ang mga ebidensya, that is actually reinforcing the culture of impunity,” Adiong pointed out.
“That’s why kung ikaw nakita mo itong mga ebidensya, if you’re really into upholding the rule of law, holding public impeachable officers to account, if you’re really for accountability, very clear sa iyo kung saan posisyon ka sa susuporta,” he added.
Adiong also said the accusation that impeachment supporters were paid has become a familiar line from the Duterte camp.
“So nakita naman natin ang mga ebidensya sumisigaw,” Adiong maintained.
“Number two, yung sinasabi naman nilang mga allegations of nababayaran, bribery, etc., ito yung paulit-ulit nila rehash na sinasabi nila,” he added.
Adiong urged the Vice President’s camp to present counterevidence before the Senate instead of attacking the motives of those who believe the case should proceed to trial.
“Ang mas maganda sana is to provide counter evidences kasi puro sa ad hominem yung naririnig natin, tinitira ang personality behind those who are supportive of the impeachment,” Adiong explained.
“Which by the way nakikita natin na may pattern talaga kasi part ito sa scare tactic na sinasabi nila which again would only reinforces culture of impunity,” he added.
With the case now transmitted to the Senate, Adiong maintained that the next step should be a trial where both the prosecution and the defense can present evidence before senator-judges and the public.
“Ang sa atin lang is we have to uphold the rule of law, we have to make sure that accountability and transparency still maintains to be part of our daily life, that the Constitution is alive and well,” Adiong stressed.
“This is the only way we can actually exercise our constitutional duty given to us by the Constitution to initiate the impeachment process if allegations are to be proven correct,” he added.
“At least man lang may probable cause and that’s what we’ve done during the confirmation hearings of the Justice Committee,” Adiong added.
