House taps veteran lawyers as prosecutors in VP Sara Duterte impeachment trial

The House prosecution panel on Thursday unveiled the first group of private lawyers who will assist in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, adding a roster of experienced litigators, former government legal officials, law firm partners, and legal scholars to support the case before the Senate impeachment court.

House Committee on Justice Chair and lead prosecutor Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro said the lawyers volunteered to serve without compensation and will help House prosecutors in witness preparation, evidence presentation, pleadings, and overall trial strategy.

“Today is a very important day for the country because finally, we will be introducing the first batch of the private prosecutors who will be assisting the House prosecutors. By first batch, it means that there will be subsequent batches,” Luistro said in a press conference.

The initial group includes lawyers from PECABAR Law, Kapunan and Castillo Law Offices, and SALiGAL Law, firms known for handling major litigation, criminal cases, corporate disputes, arbitration matters, and other complex legal proceedings.

Among those joining the team are PECABAR managing partner Marforth Fua, a former assistant presidential legal counsel under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.; veteran litigator Lorna Kapunan, founder and senior partner of Kapunan and Castillo Law Offices; and Amando Virgil Ligutan, managing partner of SALiGAL Law and a senior lecturer at the University of the Philippines College of Law.

Also part of the first batch are PECABAR partners Erwin Matib and Justine Anne Lamarca, senior associate James Bryan Ibrahim Alih, Kapunan and Castillo senior partner Sonya Margarita Benemerito Castillo, junior partner Deanne Melissa Lorenzo-Singian, co-managing partner Bettina Zamora, and lawyer Lino Chris Kapunan.

According to the House panel, the lawyers bring expertise in a wide range of fields, including criminal litigation, anti-graft prosecution, white-collar crime, labor and family law, environmental law, taxation, arbitration, and corporate practice.

Akbayan Party-list Rep. Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno, a member of the prosecution panel, said the involvement of private prosecutors follows a longstanding practice in major impeachment cases. He noted that he also served as a volunteer prosecutor during the impeachment trial of former President Joseph Estrada.

Diokno said the additional legal support would be crucial as the prosecution prepares witnesses and documentary evidence for presentation before the Senate.

“Hindi po madali ang trabaho ng isang prosecutor. Maraming kailangang gawin (the work of a prosecutor is not easy. There are a lot of things to do) in terms of witnesses, in terms of evidence, exhibits, making sure that all the evidence we present is admitted by the court,” Diokno said.

“It’s not exactly simple or easy. Kaya (That’s why) we really appreciate the help of our private prosecutors.”

Luistro said the lawyers agreed to provide their services free of charge because they support the constitutional principles of accountability and transparency in government.

“What is important today is to express to the public that the private lawyers who are with us share with the House prosecutors the cause of bringing this case to the impeachment trial and until the rendition of judgment,” she said.

“They believe in the mandate of transparency and accountability. They support the mandate of the Constitution, and that is the ultimate and sole reason why they are joining the public prosecutors in this impeachment trial.”

Despite the expanded legal team, Luistro emphasized that authority over the case remains with the House prosecutors.

“I want to make it clear that the lead and the one in control of the trial will still be the House prosecutors,” Luistro said.

“In other words, ang mga private prosecutors po na makakasama ng (the private prosecutors that will be with) House prosecutors will be assisting prosecutors. And pursuant to the rules, they will remain under the direct control and supervision of the House prosecutors.”

Diokno likewise stressed that the role of the private lawyers is limited to assisting the House prosecution panel.

“As far as the rules are concerned, klaro naman (it’s clear), any and all private prosecutors are under the control and supervision of the public prosecutors, and that will be the role that we will maintain throughout the impeachment proceedings,” he said.