House prosecution panel member and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong maintained that the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte are not a waste of government time, effort, or resources, stressing the government’s duty to hold public officials accountable.
Adiong also questioned Duterte’s alleged undeclared assets and income reflected in bank and corporate records, saying these were not explained in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) and income tax returns (ITRs).
“Finally, explain to the public kung saan nanggaling itong discrepancy, itong butal, itong hindi na-ideklara, itong amount na ito na lumabas base sa records ng kanyang mga bangko, records ng kanyang corporate income na hindi na-explain. Why hindi na-explain? Dahil wala nga sa SALN,” Adiong said.
When asked whether Duterte would testify before the impeachment court, Adiong said he had given up the expectation that she would attend the proceedings and personally explain the allegations.
He claimed her continued absence could reinforce the prosecution’s observations that she was avoiding difficult questions or lacked sufficient explanations for the alleged undisclosed wealth.
Adiong also stressed that the sub judice rule, which limits public statements on matters under judicial consideration, should apply to Duterte to protect the integrity of court proceedings.
