Photo credit: Zia Adiong

Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong has strongly denied allegations that he received money from individuals linked to former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, calling the accusations a “PR stunt” designed to distract the public from the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Adiong, who serves as spokesperson for the House prosecution panel in the impeachment case, was among several lawmakers named by a group of 18 former Marine officers who claimed that bags filled with cash were distributed to certain members of Congress. The allegations were later brought up before a Senate bloc led by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.

Speaking in a radio interview on dzBB on Friday, Adiong firmly rejected the accusations and insisted that he was never offered money during the House Quad Committee investigations, which tackled issues ranging from illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and the drug trade to extrajudicial killings and other alleged criminal activities during the 19th Congress.

“I categorically and vehemently deny. I never accepted neither anyone approached me offering me any amount during the Quad,” Adiong said.

The lawmaker also questioned the manner in which the former Marines’ allegations were presented before the Senate, arguing that the process lacked the formal procedures normally expected in official hearings.

“Para lang silang magkakaibigan dumating sa isang area, nagkumpul-kumpulan at nagtsismisan, walang mga staff doon, Senate staff, walang mga stenographer, not even ang testimonies nila were officially recorded as part of the Senate records,” Adiong said.

He maintained that the accusations were intended to draw attention away from the impeachment proceedings against Duterte, which continue to dominate political discussions.

“So talagang this is just a PR stunt at ma-divert ’yung real issue natin… which is connected with the awaited impeachment trial against Vice President Sara Duterte,” he said.

Adiong further pointed to what he described as inconsistencies in the allegations, noting that some names that initially appeared in the affidavits of the accusers were later removed.

“In fact, hindi lang ako. Pati initially, ‘yung unang nilabas nila sa media na mga listahan, sinasabi nilang tumanggap, marami doon na tinanggal. Amended na nga, edited na nga ang affidavit nila,” he said.

The House prosecutor spokesperson said the public is becoming increasingly aware of what he characterized as efforts to shift the conversation away from the impeachment case.

“Even the people, nakita ng taong bayan kung gaano ‘yung effort nila, ‘yung attempt nila, ‘yung desperate attempt nila para ilihis ang usapin sa impeachment,” he pointed out.

According to Adiong, many Filipinos are now focused on seeing the impeachment proceedings move forward and hearing the evidence for themselves.

“The people now is vigilant. They’re so invested in the impeachment trial that what they want is to proceed. Makita nila at [marinig] nila ‘yung mga ebidensya at magbigyan ng clarity talaga itong usapin na impeachment na ito,” Alonto Adiong said.

The allegations by the former Marine officers have added another layer of controversy to the political tensions surrounding the impeachment case, with both sides continuing to dispute the credibility and motives behind the claims. As debates intensify in both the House and Senate, attention remains fixed on whether the impeachment trial against Duterte will proceed as scheduled.