Veteran trial lawyers and law firms are seeking to join the prosecution team in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, as the House panel begins selecting a limited number of private prosecutors who will help argue the case before the Senate impeachment court.
Lead impeachment prosecutor and House Committee on Justice Chairperson Gerville Luistro said the prosecution panel has already shortlisted several lawyers, but discussions are still ongoing because of the large number of legal practitioners who have offered their services.
“Napakahirap talagang mamili sapagkat lahat ng nagpapahayag ng kanilang tulong sa public prosecutors ay talagang mga batikan at magagaling na trial lawyers,” the Batangas solon said in a radio interview.
Luistro said the panel has already identified some possible private prosecutors but has not yet finalized the lineup.
“To your question, meron na kaming napiling ilan subalit hindi pa kami tapos sapagkat napakarami pa na dapat naming makonsidera,” she said.
“But of course our intention is to come up only with reasonable number of private prosecutors,” Luistro added.
The selection comes as the Senate has already convened as an impeachment court following the House’s formal transmission of the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte.
The charges against the Vice President include alleged misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, and threats against top government officials.
Luistro said the prosecution panel is weighing several factors in choosing the private lawyers who may assist in the proceedings. These include litigation experience, familiarity with the allegations contained in the Articles of Impeachment, and availability during the trial.
“Definitely, kasama iyan,” she said when asked if expertise in the issues raised in the impeachment complaint is among the considerations.
“Maraming factors ang kinoconsider natin perhaps you can consider also their availability kung kapag nailatag na lahat ng dates ng impeachment court ay ilalatag din natin sa kanila ‘yan if their services will be completely available during those period of time,” Luistro said.
The House prosecutor said the final list of private prosecutors will be announced once the selection process is completed.
The 11-member House prosecution panel is led by Luistro and includes Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez, San Juan City Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora, Iloilo 3rd District Rep. Lorenz Defensor, Akbayan Party-list Rep. Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno, Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao, Bukidnon 2nd District Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores, Cagayan de Oro 1st District Rep. Lordan Suan, and Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua.