MANILA (June 15) — As the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte approaches, a broad coalition of civil society groups, academics, religious organizations, and anti-corruption advocates is calling on ordinary Filipinos to pay close attention to the proceedings.
More than 120 organizations formally launched the Bantay Impeachment initiative in Manila, describing it as a nationwide effort to promote transparency, public accountability, and citizen participation throughout the historic trial.
The organizers say the impeachment case is not simply a political battle among powerful figures in government. Rather, it is a constitutional process that could have far-reaching consequences for public trust, governance, and the use of taxpayers’ money.
Bringing the Trial Closer to Ordinary Filipinos
The coalition said one of its main goals is to help ordinary citizens understand the often complex legal and constitutional issues surrounding impeachment.
According to the organizers, many Filipinos struggle to see how political controversies affect their daily lives. Through community forums, campus discussions, fact-checking efforts, and daily explanations of trial developments, Bantay Impeachment hopes to bridge that gap.
“Impeachment is not merely a political contest,” the group said in a statement. “It is a constitutional mechanism designed to uphold public accountability.”
The coalition argued that when public funds are misused and public trust is undermined, it is ordinary citizens who bear the consequences through weaker social services, poor governance, and corruption.
Nationwide Monitoring Effort
The campaign will focus on three major areas: public education, trial monitoring, and citizen mobilization.
Organizers plan to conduct forums in communities and schools, provide regular updates and explanations of trial proceedings, and launch fact-checking initiatives aimed at combating misinformation circulating online.
Supporters are also expected to hold activities and mobilizations on July 6, the scheduled opening of the impeachment trial.
The coalition said the effort is intended to ensure that the proceedings remain transparent and that senator-judges are reminded of the public’s expectation of fairness and impartiality.
Prosecutors Defend Trial Strategy
Joining the launch were members of the House prosecution panel, including Representatives Joel Chua, Terry Ridon, and Renee Co.
During the event, Ridon defended the prosecution’s plan to introduce additional evidence related to properties allegedly not declared in Vice President Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs) from 2007 to 2024.
According to Ridon, the prosecution remains within its legal rights to present new evidence before and during pre-trial proceedings, provided such evidence is relevant and material to the case.
The prosecution panel is expected to disclose details of its evidence in an upcoming pre-trial brief.
One Article Could Be Enough
Meanwhile, Chua said the prosecution may not need to present all four articles of impeachment if the evidence under a single article proves strong enough to secure a conviction.
He explained that impeachment rules do not require conviction on every article. If prosecutors become convinced that one article already establishes sufficient grounds for conviction, they may choose to rest their case and allow the Senate to vote.
The statement provides a glimpse into the prosecution’s strategy as both sides prepare for what is expected to be one of the most closely watched political proceedings in recent Philippine history.
Debate Over Senate’s Role
Chua also reiterated his view that the Senate cannot simply dismiss the impeachment complaint once it has been transmitted by the House of Representatives.
According to him, the Constitution requires the Senate to conduct a trial and render a judgment, either acquittal or conviction.
The issue has become a subject of public debate as legal experts and political observers continue to discuss the extent of the Senate’s powers during impeachment proceedings.
Questions Raised About Estrada’s Participation
Another issue raised during the launch involved the role of Senator Jinggoy Estrada as a senator-judge.
Chua questioned whether Estrada could fully participate in the proceedings given his previous arrest on plunder charges, although he clarified that the view was his personal opinion.
The comments add another layer of discussion to a trial already drawing intense public scrutiny.
A Test of Accountability
For the organizers of Bantay Impeachment, however, the larger issue extends beyond legal arguments and political strategy.
They say the impeachment trial is ultimately a test of democratic institutions and public accountability.
As the nation prepares to watch the proceedings unfold, the coalition is urging Filipinos not to remain passive observers but to stay informed, verify information, and closely monitor decisions that could shape public trust in government.
Whether the trial ends in conviction or acquittal, organizers believe citizen participation will play a crucial role in ensuring that the process remains transparent, fair, and faithful to the Constitution.
