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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Maging sino ka man': Prosecution says it doesn't matter who impeachment trial presiding officer is

'Maging sino ka man': Prosecution says it doesn't matter who impeachment trial presiding officer is

Published Jul 6, 2026 03:39 pm

At A Glance

  • The House prosecution panel reiterates readiness to present evidence against Vice President Sara Duterte regardless of who presides over the Senate impeachment court.
  • Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong stresses the case is strong and solid, pledging respect for the senator-judges' decisions.
  • Senator Francis Escudero is chosen as presiding officer.
The House prosecution team (Photo from San Juan City lone district Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora)
The House prosecution team (Photo from San Juan City lone district Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora)

The House prosecution panel has reiterated on Monday afternoon, July 6 that it is ready to present its evidence against Vice President Sara Duterte whoever the presiding officer is of the Senate impeachment court.
Thus, said prosecution panel spokesperson Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, even as the senator-judges had a protracted discussion on the matter of the presiding officer at the start of Duterte’s impeachment trial.
"Tulad po ng paulit-ulit naming binibigyang-diin — ang House prosecution team ay handang-handa na magpresenta ng aming mga ebidensya at testigo, kahit sino pa po ang maging presiding officer," Adiong said in a statement sent to House reporters.
(As we have repeatedly emphasized — the House prosecution team is fully prepared to present our evidence and witnesses, whoever the presiding officer may be.)
Adiong underscored: "Malakas at matibay po ang aming kaso (Our case is strong and solid)."
"Buong respeto po naming igagalang ang desisyon ng ating mga kagalang-galang na senator-judges at ng buong impeachment court. Maraming salamat po," the spokesperson further said.
(We will respectfully abide by the decision of our honorable Senator-Judges and the entire Impeachment Court. Thank you very much.)
In the end, the senator-judges voted to install Senator Francis "Chiz" Escudero, a lawyer and former Senate President, as presiding officer of the impeachment court.
The trial proper officially began at 3:31 p.m. Monday.
The respondent--the twice-impeached Vice President Duterte--didn't attend the proceedings.

Related Tags

IMPEACHMENT Sara Duterte Senate Zia Alonto Adiong Chiz Escudero Presiding officer
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