Photo credit: Zia Alonto Adiong

House trial spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong on Thursday took aim at the defense’s pre-trial brief in the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, arguing that the filing appears to obscure key issues rather than clarify them.

Speaking after reviewing the document submitted by Duterte’s camp, Adiong said a pre-trial brief is supposed to help narrow down disputes, identify evidence, and provide a clearer picture of the arguments that will be presented before the impeachment court.

Instead, he said the filing left many of the public’s questions unanswered.

“A pre-trial brief should serve as a guidepost. It should help everyone understand what facts are contested and how the parties intend to prove their case,” Adiong said.

According to the House spokesperson, the lengthy document and extensive list of witnesses and exhibits do little to explain how the Vice President plans to counter the allegations contained in the Articles of Impeachment.

He noted that many Filipinos have been seeking straightforward answers regarding issues raised against Duterte, including allegations involving confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, and threats against government officials.

“The public wants explanations, not just paperwork,” Adiong said. “People want to know where public funds went, how questioned transactions will be justified, and how the allegations will be addressed.”

Adiong argued that if the defense possesses factual and legal arguments to refute the accusations, the public expected to see at least a glimpse of those arguments in the pre-trial submission.

“Many were hoping to see a roadmap of the defense,” he said. “Instead, what they saw was a filing that made the issues more complicated without making them any clearer.”

The lawmaker warned that the document risks creating the impression that its purpose is to overwhelm rather than illuminate, saying transparency remains essential in a case that has attracted nationwide attention.

Despite his criticism, Adiong emphasized that the House prosecution panel fully respects Duterte’s constitutional rights and supports her right to mount a vigorous defense before the Senate impeachment court.

“There is no question that the Vice President deserves due process and every opportunity to answer the charges,” he said. “But accountability is also a constitutional principle, and the Filipino people deserve to hear those answers.”

The House spokesperson maintained that the impeachment trial remains the proper venue to examine the evidence and determine the truth behind the allegations.

“As the proceedings move forward, the central questions remain unresolved,” Adiong said. “And until those questions are addressed, the public will continue to demand clarity and accountability.”

The Senate impeachment court has begun its pre-trial proceedings, with both the prosecution and defense expected to finalize their evidence, witnesses, and legal arguments ahead of the trial proper.