Manila Bulletin
Philippines
National
Adiong explains why House prosecution team needs 2 spokespersons for VP Duterte trial
Philippines
National
Adiong explains why House prosecution team needs 2 spokespersons for VP Duterte trial
Adiong explains why House prosecution team needs 2 spokespersons for VP Duterte trial
Published May 21, 2026 12:35 pm
Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong (left), Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co (Facebook)
The House prosecution panel in Vice President Sara Duterte's upcoming Senate impeachment trial has not one, but two spokespersons--Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co.
And as far as the former is concerned, the dual mouthpiece set-up is necessary, if only to counter the glut of fake news and disinformation about the trial that is expected to dominate social media.
"Minamarapat natin ang House Prosecution Team na merong maging tulay para ma-explain at ma-laymanize ika nga sa ating mga kababayan kung ano ang napag-uusapan doon sa korte at ang salient points na nire-raise during the actual trial,” Adiong said in a recent radio interview.
(We deem it proper that the House Prosecution Team should serve as a bridge to explain and, as they say, laymanize for our fellow citizens what is being discussed in court and the salient points raised during the actual trial.)
"Isa rin ito sa mga mekanismo para masugpo ang mga posibleng magiging source of disinformation and misinformation. Alam naman natin kung paano ang galawan ngayon sa social media,” stressed the Midnanaoan.
(This is also one of the mechanisms to curb possible sources of disinformation and misinformation. We all know how things move nowadays on social media.)
He said the House prosecution panel wants a steady explanation of the trial, not because it seeks to replace the work of the impeachment court, but because the public deserves clear and consistent information while the proceedings are ongoing.
“Dahil naintindihan po natin na hindi lang ito trial or denying trial. Ang Constitution po ang nagbibigay kapangyarihan sa Senado para po dinggin at litisin yung mga impeachable officers na mayroon pong allegation of violation sa Constitution,” pointed out Adiong, a House assistant majority leader.
(Because we understand that this is not just a trial or a denying trial. The Constitution grants the Senate the power to hear and try impeachable officers who are alleged to have violated the Constitution.)
The prosecution spokesperson said previous impeachment proceedings also had designated officials who helped explain the case to the public while the trial was being heard.
“At na-experience naman natin ito nung nakaraang mga impeachment proceedings na meron din silang inatasan na tagapagsalita para mailahad sa publiko na mas madaling maintindihan ng ating mga ordinaryong kababayan,” Adiong recalled.
(And we have experienced this in past impeachment proceedings where they also designated a spokesperson to present matters to the public in a way that ordinary citizens could more easily understand.)
He noted that once the actual trial starts, the 11-member prosecution team would be focused on gaining a conviction against the second highest official of the land.
"Pag nag-umpisa po ang actual trial sa Senado, siyempre mag-focus ang ating prosecution ng kanilang sarili-sariling assignment, ‘yung pagpapresenta ng kanilang mga ebidensya, lalong-lalo na ito pinag-uusapan natin na impeachment trial.
(When the actual trial in the Senate begins, of course our prosecution will focus on their respective assignments, the presentation of their evidence, especially since we are talking about an impeachment trial.)
"Ang buong bansa ang makikinig at magsusubaybay sa impeachment court na ito (The entire nation will listen and follow this impeachment court)," he stressed.
Adiong says the panel is considering regular press briefings during the trial to help the public understand the proceedings and prevent confusion over legal issues raised before the Senate impeachment court.
The House leader said the formal briefings would also help reporters obtain clearer information from the prosecution side while avoiding multiple interpretations of what happened in the impeachment court.
According to him, the Filipino people have followed the impeachment case closely, making regular updates more necessary as the Senate begins to act on the articles of impeachment.
“Mukhang sa panahon ngayon dahil ating taong bayan ay talagang invested so much on the impeachment process, impeachment case (It seems that in these times, our people are truly invested so much in the impeachment process, the impeachment case)," Adiong noted.