Congress can multitask impeachment trial, budget talks: Adiong

Congress can effectively handle both the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte and the 2027 budget deliberations by managing its time well and multitasking, House Prosecution Panel spokesperson Ziaur-Rahman Adiong said on Sunday. "The House of Representatives—and even both chambers of Congress, for that matter—have always multitasked," Adiong said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB on Sunday. According to Adiong, lawmakers in the House are not solely focused on the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, stressing that the key is to properly manage schedules and designate which members will attend the proceedings. "The House is not focused on just one thing because of the impeachment trial. I think it’s a matter of management—managing time and assigning which members will be present during the trial.," he said. Adiong noted that not all members of the House Committee on Appropriations, which handles budget deliberations, are part of the prosecution panel or are required to attend the impeachment trial. On Friday, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said it aims to submit its proposed P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027 to Congress before August 14, ahead of the Constitution's 30-day deadline following the opening of the regular legislative session. Adiong acknowledged that adjustments would have to be made, particularly in the scheduling and duration of agency budget briefings. "I’m sure—and I admit—that there will be adjustments to the schedule, including the number of days that may be allotted for the budget briefings," he said in a mix of English and Filipino. He added that Congress is structured to address multiple priorities simultaneously, noting that lawmakers must also attend regular committee hearings aside from the impeachment trial and budget deliberations. Asked whether the House prosecution panel would streamline its presentation of evidence or reduce the number of witnesses to accommodate the legislative schedule, Adiong said accountability remains their foremost concern. "(First of all, we cannot compromise our presentation because, ultimately, what we are seeking here is accountability," he said. "If adjustments are necessary, the House Prosecution Panel will discuss them," the lawmaker added. Adiong said he believes the public would understand if the prosecution refuses to sacrifice the presentation of its evidence, stressing that the panel wants Filipinos to fully appreciate the merits of the case against Duterte. — MCG, GMA News