Ranking solons have reiterated the House of Representatives' appeal to Filipinos to watch and follow Vice President Sara Duterte's Senate impeachment trial themselves instead of relying on social media commentaries for updates.

Deputy Speaker La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega V and Assistant Minority Leader Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co on Sunday, July 5 explained to their countrymen the significance of the historic trial, and why it warranted their full attention.

“Hindi araw-araw nagkakaroon ng impeachment trial laban sa isang nakaupong Vice President. Isa itong pambansang pangyayari na magiging bahagi ng ating kasaysayan. Kaya sana ay maging saksi ang bawat Pilipino,” Ortega said.

(It is not every day that an impeachment trial is held against a sitting Vice President. This is a national event that will become part of our history. So I hope every Filipino will bear witness.)

The House leader said the public owes it to themselves to witness the proceedings firsthand instead of relying on fragmented videos or sensationalized online content.

“I encourage everyone to watch the proceedings live from Day One. Listen to the arguments as they are made. Observe how the Senate impeachment court conducts itself. Form your own conclusions based on what you personally see and hear,” he said.

Ortega added: “Panoorin ninyo nang live. Huwag nating ipaubaya sa clickbait, edited videos, o algorithm ang paghubog ng ating opinyon."

(Watch it live. Let us not leave the shaping of our opinion to clickbait, edited videos, or algorithms.)

Ortega noted that in today’s digital environment, misinformation spreads quickly, especially during high-profile national events.

“Social media is a useful platform for discussion, but it should never replace firsthand information. Short clips can remove context. Headlines can oversimplify. Algorithms often reward the most emotional content, not necessarily the most accurate,” he noted.

“Sa panahon ngayon, isang 20-second video puwedeng magmukhang buong katotohanan kahit putol-putol lang ang ipinakita. Mas mabuti pa ring panoorin ang buong proseso,” underscored the Ilocano.

(In these times, a 20‑second clip can look like the whole truth even if only fragments are shown. It is still better to watch the entire process.)

He says the best antidote to fake news is an informed public that sees the proceedings for itself.

“Ang pinakamabisang panlaban sa fake news ay hindi argumento. Katotohanan ang panlaban sa fake news. At makikita ang katotohanan kapag pinanood natin mismo ang paglilitis,” Ortega said.

(The most effective defense against fake news is not argument. The defense against fake news is truth. And the truth can be seen when we ourselves watch the trial.)

The Deputy Speaker stressed that the trial is bigger than any political camp and should be viewed as a test of the country’s constitutional institutions.

For her part, Co encouraged the youth to watch the proceedings from day one.

"Seeing viral clips or social media summaries will not be enough. Watch the process unfold. Understand how processes work and why accountability matters in a democracy,” said the lawyer-legislator.

According to her, the impeachment trial is more than a legal proceeding—it is a lesson in citizenship for an entire generation.

“This is one of those defining moments that future generations will read about in history books. Today, you have the opportunity to witness it as it happens. I hope our youth will see not just the politics, but the principles that underpin our Constitution,” Co said.

Co urged young Filipinos to participate responsibly by staying informed, discussing the issues respectfully, and demanding integrity from all public officials.

“Your voice matters. Ask questions. Engage in respectful conversations. Hold all sides to high standards. Democracy becomes stronger when citizens—especially the youth—are informed and actively engaged,” she added.

She also emphasized that the proceedings must be conducted in a manner that invites the greatest political participation of all Filipinos.

“We owe the Filipino people, especially the younger generation, a process that is fair, just, transparent, and faithful to the Constitution. If we expect our youth to inherit these institutions, then the institutions must demonstrate that they deserve that trust,” Co said.