The House Committee on Justice is considering tapping private lawyers to strengthen its prosecution panel if the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte proceeds to a Senate trial.
Committee chair and Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro said bringing in experienced litigators would help complement the legal capabilities of House members, noting that impeachment proceedings in the Senate require strong courtroom expertise.
In a radio interview, Luistro said she would recommend engaging private prosecutors to assist lawmakers who may be selected as part of the prosecution team. She acknowledged that many House lawyers, including herself, are no longer actively practicing litigation, while the defense panel is expected to be composed of seasoned trial lawyers.
Luistro pointed out that current impeachment rules provide for 11 public prosecutors from the House but do not explicitly prohibit the inclusion of additional legal support from the private sector. She said the participation of private lawyers would ultimately depend on the House and those willing to assist in the case.
She also clarified that membership in the prosecution panel is not automatic. The 11 lawmakers who will serve as prosecutors must be elected by the House in plenary, similar to how other internal leadership positions are chosen.
Luistro added that she has yet to decide whether she would personally join the prosecution panel if the case advances to trial.
For now, she said her focus remains on completing the committee’s work, including finalizing its report and defending the Articles of Impeachment before the full House. She anticipates intense debates once the matter reaches the plenary, where lawmakers will vote on whether to transmit the articles to the Senate.