House Deputy Majority Leader Francisco Paolo Ortega V and Lanao del Sur Representative Zia Alonto Adiong assured the public that preparations of the House prosecution team for Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial are in full swing.
While not directly part of the prosecution panel, Ortega expressed confidence in the team’s readiness, and in the efforts being made to avoid any delays and ensure a smooth process.
“Well-prepared naman po ‘yong team of prosecutors natin dito sa House of Representatives.”
“If ever may mock trial, part po ng preparation po lahat ‘yon para pagdating po ng June, wala na po tayong delays, wala na po tayong aberya, at saka well-prepared naman po ‘yong team of prosecutors natin dito sa House of Representatives,” the legislator said.
Adiong highlighted the importance of coordination within the team, emphasizing that their unity would be crucial in presenting a strong case.
“It’s also important para they can move as one, ‘yong rapport at tsaka ‘yong tinatawag nating chemistry,” the lawmaker explained.
Ortega also highlighted that the impeachment can be a venue where the Office of the Vice President can clarify the issue of questionable names of alleged recipients of confidential funds.
“Meron naman po tayong nakabinbin na impeachment. Then that will be answered during the impeachment sa Article II,” he said.
The House leaders reaffirmed their commitment to due process and fair and orderly proceeding.
They assured that all legal and procedural concerns would be thoroughly addressed to uphold the integrity of the impeachment process.
Meanwhile, Adiong urged former spokesperson Harry Roque to return to the country instead of applying for asylum in the Netherlands.
“There’s no place like home.”
“There’s no place like home,” he said.
“Wala na siyang ibang pupuntahan kung halimbawa na na-refuse, na-reject ‘yong kanyang application for asylum. I think he needs to face the charges against him. And as a lawyer, it’s not so much on his personal choice; as a lawyer he is bound to obey the law. And he is bound to respect the law and he is bound to subject himself before the law,” Adiong explained.
He also questioned Roque’s actions and pointed out the contradiction in the former presidential spokesperson’s behavior.
“How come he is going around at some other place and wanting to defend a certain individual when he does not want to defend himself? That to me is ironic,” Adiong concluded.
