MANILA — The House prosecution panel’s confidence in securing a conviction against Vice President Sara Duterte is anchored on the evidence it has gathered and intends to present before the impeachment court, House trial spokesperson and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said.

In a media interview, Adiong was asked whether the prosecution panel had become more confident following the emergence of separate legal issues involving senators perceived to be allies of Duterte, including Sens. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Jinggoy Estrada.

“Well, yes. But the House prosecution panel has confidence in our evidence that we already obtained and we will present to the impeachment court,” he said.

Adiong emphasized that the legal challenges faced by individual senators have no bearing on the impeachment proceedings.

“If you look at individual cases that the individual senators are now facing, ito po ‘yung mga kaso na walang connection sa impeachment trial na ito (these are cases that have no connection with this impeachment trial),” Adiong said.

“It is also beyond our control that, again, unfortunately, some of the senators now that faces individual legal battles happen to be associated or happen to be in a group associated with the Vice President,” he added.

He said neither the House prosecution panel nor groups supporting the impeachment trial had any role in those cases.

“And that is already beyond our control. That is not something that is deliberately done by any of the agencies in our government nor neither any individual or group that might also be supporting this impeachment trial,” he pointed out.

According to Adiong, the prosecution panel remains focused on pursuing accountability and upholding constitutional processes.

“Again, let me also reiterate that we don’t wish any ill will against anyone, especially our members of our co-equal branch. But then again, we have to also stand side by side with the Constitution and allow accountability for any public officers,” he said.

He added that all public officials are obligated by their oath of office to uphold the Constitution and respond to allegations through legal channels.

“And we have sworn that we will face any charges that may lay before us,” Adiong said.

The lawmaker also underscored the importance of respecting the rule of law regardless of differing views on the impeachment case.

The House prosecution team is preparing to present its case before the Senate impeachment court, where Duterte will stand trial over allegations that include the misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery and threats against the country’s top officials.