HOUSE Prosecution Panel spokesperson and impeachment adviser, former Surigao del Norte rep. Robert Ace Barbers, said Wednesday the panel is considering engaging translators in major Philippine languages, including Bisaya, Hiligaynon, Bicolano and others, to help explain the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte clearly and accurately to the public.
Barbers said the initiative aims to make the proceedings easier to understand, especially for Filipinos who are more comfortable receiving information in their own language.
“Napakalawak ng usapin ng impeachment. Hindi ito usaping legal lang. May procedural, may legal, at may public information aspect. Kaya hindi ito kayang ipaliwanag ng iisang tao lamang. Kailangan ng team na may iisang mensahe at iisang naratibo,” Barbers said.
He explained that while the panel has lawyer-spokespersons handling legal and procedural matters, his role is to strengthen public communication and ensure that accurate and timely information reaches ordinary Filipinos.
“Plano naming ipaliwanag ang proseso sa iba’t ibang wika para mas maraming Pilipino ang makaintindi at hindi mabiktima ng maling impormasyon,” he added.
Barbers stressed that the impeachment process is an accountability mechanism provided under the Constitution that can be applied even to the most powerful in our government, and the public deserves to understand how it works before forming conclusions.
He also urged Filipinos to watch the trial themselves instead of relying solely on social media commentary.
“Live ang proceedings kaya hinihikayat namin ang publiko na panoorin ito mismo. Habang tumatakbo ang paglilitis, asahan nating dadami ang fake news at iba’t ibang interpretasyon. Mas mabuti pa ring makita at marinig mismo ng taumbayan ang ebidensya at proseso kaysa umasa sa mga haka-haka o maling impormasyon,” Barbers said.
He emphasized that the prosecution’s goal is not only to present its case before the impeachment court but also to help ensure that the public understands the constitutional process based on facts, evidence, and the rule of law.
metrosundaily
