House panel spox says youth will bear impeachment consequences

MANILA, Philippines — House prosecution panel spokesperson and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Renee Co said the outcome of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte will directly affect the next generation.

“The next generation will inherit the consequences of this trial,” Co said.

“This is bigger than personalities and political camps. For many young Filipinos, this is about the kind of political culture we normalize, tolerate, and pass on to future generations,” she added.

She also said that many young people are already fed up with the country’s current political culture.

“Ang daming kabataan ngayon ang sawa na sa endless political drama, scripted outrage, at ingay na walang malinaw na pananagutan,” she said.

(So many youth today are already fed up with the endless political drama, scripted outrage and noise without clear accountability.)

Co, together with Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, was appointed spokesperson for the 11-member House prosecution panel on Monday, May 18, the same day the Senate convened as an impeachment court.

According to her, her role as spokesperson is to help present the facts supporting the allegations against the vice president.

“We will bring the voice of the youth in their call for justice,” Co told the media on Monday.

Evidence is strong

Meanwhile, Co also said in an interview with ONE News on Thursday that the prosecution panel is confident the evidence against the vice president is strong enough to secure a conviction.

“We believe that kapag nalatag lang beyond what is provided in the Articles of Impeachment, harap-harapan sa ebidensya, undeniable yung mga allegations,” Co said.

(We believe that when the evidence is laid out beyond what is provided in the Articles of Impeachment, face to face with the evidence, the allegations are undeniable.)

The prosecution only needs to prove one allegation to secure a conviction, according to the lawmaker, but they also aim to convince the senator-judges that all four Articles of Impeachment are valid.

“Ine-exhaust ng House prosecution panel lahat ng arguments because even though isa lang ang kailangan, marami po kasi 'yung offenses that have been done,” Co added.

(The House prosecution panel exhausts all arguments because even though only one is needed to secure a conviction, there are many offenses that have allegedly been committed.)

The articles of impeachment include alleged misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery and corruption, grave threats, and culpable violation of the Constitution.

The summons sent by the Senate was received by the Office of the Vice President on Wednesday, May 20. The vice president has until June 1 to respond.

Sen. Erwin Tulfo said the trial will start on July 6.