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Advocates Philippines
Adiong Says VP Saras Defense Filing Raises More Questions Than Answers
Photo credit: Congress PH
House trial spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong on Wednesday criticized the pre-trial brief submitted by the defense team of Vice President Sara Duterte, saying the lengthy filing appears to offer more volume than substance.
According to Adiong, the 72-page document contains an extensive list of witnesses and documentary exhibits, but falls short of directly addressing the allegations laid out in the Articles of Impeachment.
“After reviewing the defense pre-trial brief, one cannot help but notice that it is long on pages but short on answers,” Adiong said.
The House spokesperson emphasized that the strength of a legal defense should not be measured by the number of pages, witnesses, or documents submitted, but by how effectively it responds to the accusations being faced.
He noted that many of the witnesses and exhibits cited by the defense appear to be drawn from evidence that had already been identified and presented by the prosecution panel. This, he said, raises questions about what independent factual narrative the defense intends to present during the proceedings.
Adiong also pointed out that a pre-trial brief is meant to help the impeachment court identify key issues, determine the relevance of witnesses, and narrow down matters that will be tackled during trial. Instead, he argued, many of the descriptions in the filing were broad and generalized, making it difficult to determine their specific relevance to the case.
Despite his criticism, Adiong stressed that Duterte is entitled to all the rights afforded under the Constitution, including the opportunity to present evidence, call witnesses, and defend herself before the impeachment court.
He said the House prosecution panel welcomes the presentation of the Vice President’s side, adding that the public deserves a full airing of the facts and evidence surrounding the allegations.
For Adiong, the contents of the filing further underscore the need for a full impeachment trial rather than diminish it.
“If the objective was to convince the public that there is no longer a need for a trial, the filing accomplished the opposite,” he said.
The lawmaker maintained that many issues remain unresolved and that the impeachment court remains the proper venue to examine the evidence and determine the truth.
As the impeachment proceedings move forward, Adiong said Filipinos deserve clear answers to lingering questions and should be allowed to see the evidence presented by both sides before any final judgment is made.
According to Adiong, the 72-page document contains an extensive list of witnesses and documentary exhibits, but falls short of directly addressing the allegations laid out in the Articles of Impeachment.
“After reviewing the defense pre-trial brief, one cannot help but notice that it is long on pages but short on answers,” Adiong said.
The House spokesperson emphasized that the strength of a legal defense should not be measured by the number of pages, witnesses, or documents submitted, but by how effectively it responds to the accusations being faced.
He noted that many of the witnesses and exhibits cited by the defense appear to be drawn from evidence that had already been identified and presented by the prosecution panel. This, he said, raises questions about what independent factual narrative the defense intends to present during the proceedings.
Adiong also pointed out that a pre-trial brief is meant to help the impeachment court identify key issues, determine the relevance of witnesses, and narrow down matters that will be tackled during trial. Instead, he argued, many of the descriptions in the filing were broad and generalized, making it difficult to determine their specific relevance to the case.
Despite his criticism, Adiong stressed that Duterte is entitled to all the rights afforded under the Constitution, including the opportunity to present evidence, call witnesses, and defend herself before the impeachment court.
He said the House prosecution panel welcomes the presentation of the Vice President’s side, adding that the public deserves a full airing of the facts and evidence surrounding the allegations.
For Adiong, the contents of the filing further underscore the need for a full impeachment trial rather than diminish it.
“If the objective was to convince the public that there is no longer a need for a trial, the filing accomplished the opposite,” he said.
The lawmaker maintained that many issues remain unresolved and that the impeachment court remains the proper venue to examine the evidence and determine the truth.
As the impeachment proceedings move forward, Adiong said Filipinos deserve clear answers to lingering questions and should be allowed to see the evidence presented by both sides before any final judgment is made.
Jun 17, 2026
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