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Advocates Philippines
Adiong Warns: 'Zoom Impeachment' Could Weaken Accountability
Photo credit: Cong. Zia Alonto Adiong
House impeachment trial spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong has raised concerns over proposals that would allow senators to join and vote remotely in Senate proceedings, warning that such a setup could undermine accountability and public trust in the impeachment process involving Vice President Sara Z. Duterte.
Speaking in an ANC interview on Thursday, Adiong cautioned against what he described as a potential “Zoom impeachment,” drawing parallels to the challenges faced during pandemic-era remote learning.
“Nung ina-allow po ‘yung Zoom classes, medyo bumaba po ‘yung kalidad ng ating mga estudyante,” the Lanao del Sur lawmaker said.
He said lessons from education reforms and ongoing work under the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) highlight the downsides of remote participation in critical processes.
“That’s why ito po ‘yung mga ginagawa na panukala ng EDCOM 2 na ma-address itong problema na epekto ng pandemic dahil sa mga remote participation, remote classes via Zoom,” he added.
Adiong stressed that impeachment is fundamentally a constitutional duty that requires direct, in-person engagement from senator-judges as they evaluate evidence and witness testimony.
“Imagine in the Senate, imagine in the impeachment court. Ang pinag-uusapan po dito Constitution. No matter how high you have obtained in terms of the positions that you were elected to, ay hindi nangangahulugan na hindi ka aabutin ng accountability mechanism ng ating Constitution,” he said.
He further emphasized that physical presence allows judges to properly assess credibility through demeanor and behavior during hearings.
“In a trial court, kasi ‘pag nandun po ‘yung testigo dyan sa witness stand, the judge also examines and observes the mannerism — ‘yung kanyang pananalita ‘pag kino-cross-examine ito,” Adiong said.
“Importante din po ‘yung kanyang kabuuan na disposition during the cross-examination or pag-presentation ng mga evidence,” he added.
The remarks come amid growing debate in the Senate over a proposed rule change that would allow remote participation under “justifiable reasons,” expanding beyond current limits tied only to emergencies.
The proposal has sparked controversy among lawmakers, with minority senators staging a walkout and accusing the majority bloc of rushing changes ahead of the upcoming impeachment trial.
Speaking in an ANC interview on Thursday, Adiong cautioned against what he described as a potential “Zoom impeachment,” drawing parallels to the challenges faced during pandemic-era remote learning.
“Nung ina-allow po ‘yung Zoom classes, medyo bumaba po ‘yung kalidad ng ating mga estudyante,” the Lanao del Sur lawmaker said.
He said lessons from education reforms and ongoing work under the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) highlight the downsides of remote participation in critical processes.
“That’s why ito po ‘yung mga ginagawa na panukala ng EDCOM 2 na ma-address itong problema na epekto ng pandemic dahil sa mga remote participation, remote classes via Zoom,” he added.
Adiong stressed that impeachment is fundamentally a constitutional duty that requires direct, in-person engagement from senator-judges as they evaluate evidence and witness testimony.
“Imagine in the Senate, imagine in the impeachment court. Ang pinag-uusapan po dito Constitution. No matter how high you have obtained in terms of the positions that you were elected to, ay hindi nangangahulugan na hindi ka aabutin ng accountability mechanism ng ating Constitution,” he said.
He further emphasized that physical presence allows judges to properly assess credibility through demeanor and behavior during hearings.
“In a trial court, kasi ‘pag nandun po ‘yung testigo dyan sa witness stand, the judge also examines and observes the mannerism — ‘yung kanyang pananalita ‘pag kino-cross-examine ito,” Adiong said.
“Importante din po ‘yung kanyang kabuuan na disposition during the cross-examination or pag-presentation ng mga evidence,” he added.
The remarks come amid growing debate in the Senate over a proposed rule change that would allow remote participation under “justifiable reasons,” expanding beyond current limits tied only to emergencies.
The proposal has sparked controversy among lawmakers, with minority senators staging a walkout and accusing the majority bloc of rushing changes ahead of the upcoming impeachment trial.
May 29, 2026
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