The House prosecution team is preparing for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte through individual case assignments, group strategy sessions, support from private lawyers, and a communications effort aimed at helping the public understand the proceedings.
Deputy Speaker and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega said prosecutors are aware of the magnitude of the task as they prepare to face Duterte’s defense team before the Senate impeachment court.
“Malaki ang magiging trabaho ng mga prosecutors. I think they’re preparing individually. May mga articles na hina-handle. May assignments na pong ganun,” he said in an interview on a podcast hosted by former presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda and former Akbayan Party-list Rep. Barry Gutierrez.
The House panel is expected to prosecute the Articles of Impeachment transmitted by the chamber after lawmakers voted to impeach Duterte over allegations that include misuse of public funds, unexplained wealth, and threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
The La Union solon said the prosecution team is preparing both individually and as a group, noting that the trial will require discipline in legal presentation, coordination, and public messaging.
“Siyempre, mabigat ang paghahandaan nila. Mabigat din ang defense team. Naghahanda po sila. Individually, I think they’re going to be preparing as a group as well,” he said.
He said the expected participation of private prosecutors would help strengthen the team, especially since some of them had already worked with House members during earlier impeachment-related proceedings.
“So may jelling na rin before. Yeah, that helps a lot. Siyempre, teamplay yan eh. Hindi po basta-bastang task yung gagawin po nila,” he remarked.
He expressed confidence in the prosecution panel, citing months of hearings, scrutiny, and criticism that helped build familiarity among members of the House team and the Committee on Justice.
He said the pressure surrounding the case has strengthened the working relationship within the group, which could prove important once the trial begins and both sides present their arguments before senator-judges.
“Pero kung makikita nyo, may certain degree of closeness. Na parang may pagka-family vibes na rin. Kasi nga, siguro pag pare-pareho kayong nahi-hit, o naba-bash o naki-criticize, nagkakaroon ng medyo mas tumitibay na samahan,” he said.
The House side is also developing its communications structure for the trial. Ortega said Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong and Atty. Renee Co are among those helping explain the proceedings and answer questions from the media and the public.
Ortega said he will also assist in the communications effort, particularly in explaining the impeachment case to local communities and making the proceedings easier to understand for ordinary Filipinos.
“So I’ll be helping out,” he said.
He said the goal is to help the public follow the trial beyond legal technicalities and understand its implications for accountability, governance, and the country’s political future.