MANILA – House prosecution spokespersons Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Louise Co on Monday said political pressure and the Vice President’s support base will not affect the prosecution’s handling of the impeachment trial, stressing that the proceedings are anchored on the Constitution.

Speaking during a press conference at the Senate, Adiong said yielding to political pressure would only strengthen a culture of impunity.

“Pag ako ay nag-give in sa ganyang pressure, para na rin (If I give in to that kind of pressure, it’s like) reinforcing the culture of impunity,” Adiong said. “Sinasabi natin dito, ang ating Constitution ang tinatayuan natin (What we are saying here is that the Constitution is our foundation.”

He said concerns over political repercussions or the loss of political capital should not influence the House prosecution panel.

“Regardless of the political pressure or the fear of risking political capital, hindi tayo dapat matinag sa ganoon (we should not be shaken by that),” Adiong said.

According to Adiong, the impeachment trial provides an opportunity to demonstrate that the Constitution exists to serve the public interest.

He also said possible political consequences should not dictate the prosecution’s actions.

“We should not fear the possible effects politically,” Adiong said. “That should not be the primary consideration of the House prosecution team.”

Adiong said the prosecution’s primary responsibility is to fulfill its constitutional mandate by presenting its case before the Senate sitting as an impeachment court.

“Our primary consideration should be in line with our primordial constitutional duty as far as the impeachment is concerned to initiate and then to present the case before the impeachment court,” he said.

For her part, Co said the impeachment trial would benefit not only Vice President Sara Duterte and her supporters but also the public by providing answers to the allegations contained in the Articles of Impeachment.

“Everyone will benefit from this trial dahil lahat tayo deserve na malaman yung mga sagot sa tanong na matagal nang nabinbin (because everyone deserves to know the answers to the long-pending questions),” Co said.

“So, whether it is VP Sara, her supporters, everyone that wants to answer these burning questions, dapat po tumutok tayo sa paglilitis na ito (we need to focus on this trial),” she added. “Let the evidence speak, let them have their day in court. Let these questions be answered.”