Photo credit: Zia Adiong

The House prosecution team is now deep into preparations for the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte as the Senate officially moves forward as an impeachment court.

House trial spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong said the 11-member prosecution panel has already divided responsibilities, with each prosecutor assigned to specific Articles of Impeachment to ensure a focused and organized presentation during the trial.

“Sa ngayon, they have already assigned the articles of impeachment to those 11-panel House prosecution team para may focus ‘yung magiging presentation nito sa Senado acting as an impeachment court,” Alonto Adiong said during the Saturday News Forum held at Dapo Restaurant in Quezon City.

According to Adiong, the prosecution team has completed its initial public presentation and is now concentrating on legal strategy, evidence review, and trial preparations while waiting for the defense’s formal response.

The House panel is expecting Duterte’s camp to submit its answer to the Articles of Impeachment by June 1, as directed by the Senate impeachment court. Once the defense files its response, the prosecution team will prepare and submit its own reply within the required timeline.

“We’re just waiting for the release of the comments of the defense. In this case, the team of the respondent, Vice President Sara Duterte, her comments on the articles of impeachment. Then, thereafter, the House prosecution team will also be releasing their response,” Adiong said.

He explained that the exchange of pleadings is a crucial part of the process because it will define the issues that will be tackled during the trial and help both sides prepare for pre-trial proceedings.

Adiong said the prosecution hopes the Senate impeachment court can immediately schedule the pre-trial phase after the submissions are completed. He described pre-trial as the stage where both camps will set procedural rules, identify witnesses, and mark documentary evidence.

“Pre-trial, this is basically laying down the ground rules, markings of evidence, and the identification of potential witnesses from both sides. That would actually give us an idea of how the flow of the impeachment trial would go,” he said.

Beyond waiting for deadlines, Adiong said the prosecution team is already reviewing evidence, coordinating legal arguments, and preparing witnesses to ensure the case will be presented clearly before the Senate.

He stressed that the House prosecutors understand the seriousness of the impeachment proceedings and the constitutional responsibility attached to their role.

“This is a sacred duty of the House of Representatives through the House prosecution team,” Alonto Adiong said. “The prosecution will continue to follow the timetable of the impeachment court, comply with every procedural requirement, and present the case in a manner that respects both the Constitution and the Filipino people.”