A spokesperson for the House prosecution team has argued that Vice President Sara Duterte stands to gain politically by showing up to her impeachment proceedings rather than staying away, framing her continued absence as a form of evasion.
Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, who speaks for the prosecution panel, said in a television interview that Duterte personally appearing would carry weight on two fronts. By his reading, her presence would galvanize loyal followers while signaling to undecided observers that she takes the accusations seriously enough to confront them face to face.
“Sa akin dalawang bagay, it will energize further her support base,” Adiong said. “So number two, it will even give an impression sa mga neutral na okay ano to, seryoso talaga (sa pagharap sa alegasyon).”
He pointed to a pattern of non-attendance on the Vice President’s part. According to Adiong, Duterte sat out the confirmation hearings before the House Committee on Justice and was a no-show at the pre-trial conference held last June 18, where her counsel stood in for her instead.
The lawmaker said her camp has left the question of attendance unresolved. “Pero ang sinabi naman ng kanyang spokesperson, kung ‘di ako nagkakamali, pupunta daw siya pero kailan? We’ll see,” he said.
For Adiong, the proceedings represent a chance for Duterte to puncture the case against her — but only if she engages with it directly. He maintained that mounting a defense in absentia undercuts the credibility of any denial.
“But you also have to show cause to your supporters at the same time to stand on your position na ito, physically andito ako, my defense team andito para ipakita sa inyo hindi ako takot at wala akong kasalanan,” Adiong said.
He summed up the bind in blunt terms: “Mahirap i-depensa yung something na ayaw magpa-depensa.”
Putting it plainly, Adiong said the optics of staying away would land as a snub. “Hindi yung gino-ghost ka. Pero sana mag-appear siya para hindi ghosting,” he said.
