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House impeachment trial spokesperson Rep. Renee Elise Co (Kabataan) in a press conference on July 6, 2026. (Courtesy: House of Representatives/ Screenshot)
House prosecutors on Monday said they will begin the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Zimmerman Duterte with the Article on grave threats, saying it is the clearest and most easily understood allegation for both the impeachment court and the public.
House trial spokespersons Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Louise Co, along with legal spokesperson Atty. Benjamin Tolosa Jr., said the prosecution chose to present the grave threats article first because its factual issues are less complex than the financial allegations contained in the Articles of Impeachment.
“Ito ang Article of Impeachment na pinakamadaling masundan, hindi lang ng impeachment court, kundi ng mga kababayan natin,” Tolosa said.
(This is the Article of Impeachment that is easiest to follow—not just for the impeachment court, but also for our fellow citizens.)
Tolosa said the prosecution would not need to present numerous witnesses to establish that the alleged statements were made.
“Hindi na kailangan mag-presenta pa ng napakaraming testigo para mapatunayan na ito ay nangyari,” he said.
He said the video itself contains the alleged statements directed at President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, including the alleged reference to an assassin.
“It is also clear from that —aside from the threat—that an agreement had already been reached with an assassin to carry it out,” Tolosa said.
He said beginning with the grave threats article was a logical approach because it is easier to understand than the allegations involving public funds.
“Since the factual issues here are less complicated compared to other financially related Articles of Impeachment—making it easier—we decided to start with this one,” he said.
Co said the prosecution wants the public to follow the proceedings in a way that addresses the questions raised when the alleged threats were first made public.
“The press conference about the threats, napanood ‘yan ng buong lahat ng mga mamamayan (has been seen by all our citizens),” Co said.
She said the prosecution intends to present the evidence step by step so that the proceedings will demonstrate accountability.
Alonto Adiong said the grave threats article is also the easiest for ordinary Filipinos to relate to because it concerns basic decency, restraint, and the expectation that public officials should not threaten others.
He added that respect for others is deeply embedded in Filipino culture, language, and conduct. — Maricel V. Cruz
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Credit belongs to: www.manilastandard.net
