Two lawmakers from opposite sides of the political spectrum have been tapped as spokespersons of the House prosecution panel in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte before the Senate.
Lead prosecutor Jinky Luistro announced on Tuesday, May 19, that Zia Alonto Adiong and Renee Co will serve as trial spokespersons for the House prosecutors.
Adiong, a two-term lawmaker and former member of the Bangsamoro parliament, has emerged as one of the House’s prominent voices in the 19th Congress through the “Young Guns” bloc and as chairperson of the suffrage panel.
“We remain steadfast in our resolve to present the evidence with clarity, fairness, and transparency,” Adiong said, adding that the prosecution panel aims to uphold justice and strengthen democratic institutions through the trial.
Co, meanwhile, is among the youngest members of the 20th Congress and part of the Makabayan bloc in the House minority.
“What I will be doing is really no different… which is explaining the process of accountability, the contents of the articles of impeachment, and why what we are doing is important to all citizens, especially the youth,” Co said in an interview.
Duterte faces allegations of misuse of public funds, bribery, unexplained wealth, and threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
The Senate trial is expected to determine whether Duterte will be convicted and disqualified from holding public office.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.