Sara Duterte trial: Behind the scenes, prosecution doubles down on media interviews

As the first week of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte ends, something shifted in the House’s PR strategy: get more and more prosecution talking heads in front of the camera.

Has the battle to win in the court of public opinion intensified?

It’s not like congressmen are difficult to get for interviews, but their staff are now more actively reaching out to media outfits, offering their bosses for one-on-ones with reporters.

Just on Wednesday, July 8, alone, the number of congressmen who appeared on live broadcasts of media outlets’ special coverage of the trial has substantially increased from previous days.

Public prosecutors Joel Chua, Leila de Lima, Keith Flores, Rodge Gutierrez, spokesman Zia Alonto Adiong, and private prosecutor Jay Tolosa were among the House personalities who graced media rooms for live interviews.

Numerous talking from heads from the lower chamber also sat in for the House-organized press conferences that the chamber made sure to livestream on Wednesday. They include Adiong, Tolosa, Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega, public prosecutor Bel Zamora, and prosecution’s impeachment adviser Ace Barbers.

“More than anything else, it’s to combat false narratives, right? We just want to make sure we will be able to get to the public the correct story, what’s really happening in the trial proceedings,” Tolosa told Rappler when asked about the media blitz.

“There are many trolls online, that’s obvious when you read comments and see the pages,” one House source familiar with the media strategy said. “So we are like, alright, let’s maximize the power of the media.”

Chua, however, claimed this is not necessarily a tactic to win court of public opinion.

“This impeachment trial is about accountability to the public. We as representatives have an obligation to explain this to the public,” Chua also told Rappler.

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The high-stakes political affair is aired or streamed by many newsrooms and is watched by millions of Filipinos either on television or mobile devices. If the prosecution team thoroughly presents its case, there is potential to damage Vice President Sara Duterte’s popularity and hurt her 2028 presidential ambitions, should the court move to acquit her of the charges.

The Duterte camp still grants media interviews from time to time, but the defense team confined its talking head to one person — spokesperson Michael Poa. His press conferences are also rather short and sweet, as the defense team keeps its strategy close to its chest.

Even Vice President Sara Duterte’s surprise conference on Tuesday, July 7, offered a one-liner soundbite.

It’s a “go girl, give us nothing moment,” but given her rare appearances, the quote still made it to nightly newscasts. – Rappler.com

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