NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
House Prosecutor Says VP Sara's Reply Falls Short Of Answering Impeachment Charges
Photo credit: Cong Zia Alonto
House trial spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said Vice President Sara Duterte’s response to the Articles of Impeachment failed to directly address the allegations against her, urging the Senate to move forward with the impeachment trial.
Speaking during Kapihan sa Manila Bay on Wednesday, Adiong described the Vice President’s submission as a “non-answer,” saying it largely repeated procedural objections that her camp has raised in the past instead of presenting evidence to refute the accusations.
According to Adiong, the House prosecution panel had expected Duterte’s legal team to provide detailed explanations and supporting documents that would directly counter the charges contained in the impeachment complaint.
Instead, he said, the filing focused on questioning the impeachment process itself, despite previous Supreme Court rulings that recognized the House of Representatives’ constitutional authority to initiate impeachment proceedings, provided due process is observed.
The lawmaker pointed out that the House Committee on Justice conducted extensive hearings to determine whether the allegations were supported by sufficient evidence and probable cause before the complaint was transmitted to the Senate.
He also noted that Duterte and her representatives were repeatedly invited to participate in the proceedings but did not attend the hearings.
The Articles of Impeachment accuse the Vice President of alleged misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery of government officials, and threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker of the House Martin Romualdez.
Adiong argued that the latest filing appears to be an attempt to convince the Senate impeachment court to dismiss the case rather than address the accusations on their merits.
He maintained that once the Senate assumes jurisdiction over an impeachment complaint, its constitutional role is to hear the case and ultimately decide whether to acquit or convict the respondent.
“The people deserve straight answers,” Adiong said, adding that the public expected the Vice President’s camp to present evidence that would directly challenge the allegations instead of revisiting questions about the legality of the process.
The House spokesperson also cited recent survey results indicating growing public support for allowing the impeachment proceedings to continue. He said a majority of respondents believe the process should move forward and reach the trial stage.
Adiong expressed confidence that senators would fulfill their constitutional responsibilities as members of the impeachment court, stressing that both the House and the Senate have distinct duties under the Constitution.
He added that the impeachment proceedings have evolved into more than a case involving a sitting vice president, describing them as a test of the country's democratic institutions and the strength of the Constitution in the face of political pressure.
“This is not only about the Vice President,” Adiong said. “It is also a test of how strong our institutions are and whether our Constitution can withstand political challenges.”
The Senate impeachment court is expected to tackle the case in the coming months as both sides prepare their legal arguments.
Speaking during Kapihan sa Manila Bay on Wednesday, Adiong described the Vice President’s submission as a “non-answer,” saying it largely repeated procedural objections that her camp has raised in the past instead of presenting evidence to refute the accusations.
According to Adiong, the House prosecution panel had expected Duterte’s legal team to provide detailed explanations and supporting documents that would directly counter the charges contained in the impeachment complaint.
Instead, he said, the filing focused on questioning the impeachment process itself, despite previous Supreme Court rulings that recognized the House of Representatives’ constitutional authority to initiate impeachment proceedings, provided due process is observed.
The lawmaker pointed out that the House Committee on Justice conducted extensive hearings to determine whether the allegations were supported by sufficient evidence and probable cause before the complaint was transmitted to the Senate.
He also noted that Duterte and her representatives were repeatedly invited to participate in the proceedings but did not attend the hearings.
The Articles of Impeachment accuse the Vice President of alleged misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery of government officials, and threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker of the House Martin Romualdez.
Adiong argued that the latest filing appears to be an attempt to convince the Senate impeachment court to dismiss the case rather than address the accusations on their merits.
He maintained that once the Senate assumes jurisdiction over an impeachment complaint, its constitutional role is to hear the case and ultimately decide whether to acquit or convict the respondent.
“The people deserve straight answers,” Adiong said, adding that the public expected the Vice President’s camp to present evidence that would directly challenge the allegations instead of revisiting questions about the legality of the process.
The House spokesperson also cited recent survey results indicating growing public support for allowing the impeachment proceedings to continue. He said a majority of respondents believe the process should move forward and reach the trial stage.
Adiong expressed confidence that senators would fulfill their constitutional responsibilities as members of the impeachment court, stressing that both the House and the Senate have distinct duties under the Constitution.
He added that the impeachment proceedings have evolved into more than a case involving a sitting vice president, describing them as a test of the country's democratic institutions and the strength of the Constitution in the face of political pressure.
“This is not only about the Vice President,” Adiong said. “It is also a test of how strong our institutions are and whether our Constitution can withstand political challenges.”
The Senate impeachment court is expected to tackle the case in the coming months as both sides prepare their legal arguments.
Jun 4, 2026
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