Diokno on Pia Cayetano’s video clip: We’re not fishing for evidence

House prosecutor and Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno speaks on Day 7 of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on JULY 20, 2026. (Photo by NIÑO JESUS ORBETA / INQUIRER.net) MANILA, Philippines — Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno on Saturday clarified the edited clip shared by Sen. Pia Cayetano on social media, which, he believes, appeared as if the prosecution panel was fishing for evidence. In a Facebook post, Diokno said their panel has actual proof to substantiate their impeachment complaints. He explained that by pursuing the opening of the vice president’s financial documents, “they were not merely taking chances” in presenting proof that Vice President Sara Duterte had amassed unexplained wealth. Article continues after this advertisement “Probable cause was established in Anti‑Money Laundering Council (AMLC) records showing billions that passed through the accounts of the vice president and her spouse. We sought the bank records to verify whether they match the AMLC reports,” he recalled in Filipino. READ: Senate okays subpoena for VP’s tax, bank docs Last Friday, Cayetano posted on Facebook an edited clip of Diokno discussing the prosecution’s request to subpoena Duterte’s financial records as part of evidence in the accusation that she had misdeclared her net worth. This plea was granted by the impeachment court. Cayetano’s post was a minute‑long video with upbeat background music. Its caption suggested that the prosecutors were accusing Duterte without evidence. Article continues after this advertisement The video’s caption read: “Are they just taking chances? Lacking evidence, yet already making accusations?” The content of the video is being questioned by Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, spokesman for the prosecution team. Article continues after this advertisement “A senator‑judge must first listen to the entire case and weigh all the evidence before reaching any conclusion,” Adiong said in a separate statement on Sunday in Filipino. He added the video’s caption raises concerns it may have violated the sub judice rule, which bars statements touching on the merits of a case. “When you say the prosecution is accusing without evidence, it is difficult to argue that such a claim does not touch on the merits of a case still being heard by the impeachment court,” Adiong noted. The Mindanao lawmaker believes the issue is not about curtailing the right of senator-judges to speak freely. But he said the members of the impeachment court must bear the appearance of fairness in a politically charged trial. The public confidence in the trial depends on the senator-judges impartiality throughout the proceedings, he emphasized. /apl Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.