Photo credit: Congress PH

House trial spokesperson Zia Alonto Adiong said Filipinos should be allowed to see and hear all the evidence in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, stressing that the proceedings are ultimately about constitutional accountability and not political divisions.

In an interview on GMA’s Balitanghali, Adiong said the impeachment process is rooted in the Constitution, which provides mechanisms to hold impeachable officials accountable.

According to him, the case goes beyond personalities because no public official is above the law, adding that the Constitution itself is effectively the one “judging” the vice president through the impeachment process.

Adiong said the public has every right to evaluate the strength of the allegations and the evidence that will be presented before the Senate impeachment court, especially since the case involves issues tied to constitutional violations and public accountability.

He cited several accusations included in the Articles of Impeachment, including alleged threats against President Bongbong Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Adiong also pointed to questions surrounding Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), the alleged misuse of confidential funds flagged by state auditors, and reported financial transactions identified by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC).

According to him, AMLC findings allegedly showed billions of pesos passing through accounts linked to Duterte and her husband dating back to 2006, despite only P88.4 million in net worth reportedly being declared in her 2024 SALN.

The House spokesperson also referenced findings from the House’s inquiry into confidential funds, including recommendations for the restitution of P73 million and other expenses flagged by the Commission on Audit as disallowed expenditures.

Adiong emphasized that transparency is necessary because public officials derive their authority from the Filipino people, who deserve factual and verified information amid the spread of misinformation online.

He added that the impeachment proceedings will also give Duterte the chance to answer the accusations publicly and present her defense before the Senate impeachment court.

The 11-member House prosecution panel earlier divided its members into four teams corresponding to the four Articles of Impeachment. Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro will lead the team handling allegations involving confidential funds, while Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon will oversee the unexplained wealth allegations. Manila Rep. Joel Chua will handle bribery accusations, while Iloilo Rep. Lorenz Defensor will lead discussions on the grave threats allegations.

The Senate formally convened as an impeachment court earlier this week and has issued a writ of summons ordering Duterte to respond to the Articles of Impeachment within 10 days upon receipt.

Once the vice president files her answer, House prosecutors will have five days to submit their reply before the Senate schedules pre-trial proceedings and the formal trial, where both camps are expected to present witnesses and evidence before senator-judges vote on the case.