Additional private prosecutors are expected to join the House prosecution team ahead of the July 6 opening of the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, as lawyers continue to volunteer their services to assist in the high-profile constitutional proceedings.
Lead prosecutor and House Committee on Justice Chair Rep. Gerville Luistro said the continued influx of private lawyers reflects growing support for the House’s position on accountability and the impeachment process.
“Totoo naman ‘yun. The private prosecutors keep on coming to join the impeachment team, and we’re happy about that because that is a validation that even private lawyers, mga abogado de campanilla, believe in the cause of the House of Representatives,” she said.
“They are joining us in our stand to protect and preserve and enforce this accountability mechanism,” she added.
The House prosecution panel earlier introduced an initial group of 10 private lawyers who will work alongside 11 public prosecutors in preparing and presenting the case before the Senate impeachment court.
The Batangas solon said another batch of private prosecutors is expected to be presented within the week, although all will be formally introduced before the trial begins.
“Let us see this week kung pwede tayo mag-introduce ng next batch, but definitely all of them will be introduced before we start our trial on July 6,” she said.
She noted that the ideal arrangement would see parity between public and private prosecutors in the team.
“Ideally, it should be identical to the number of the public prosecutors. Remember, we are 11,” the lawmaker explained.
“So ideally, 11 din yung private prosecutors. We have introduced 10 already,” she added.
While only those formally entering appearance before the impeachment court will participate in the proceedings, Luistro clarified that other lawyers will remain part of the broader preparation team.
“But certainly, those who will not be entering appearance before the impeachment court will still be part of the team because significant ‘yung preparation before trial,” she said.
The prosecution is currently preparing for the June 18 pre-trial conference, where witness lists, documentary evidence, and procedural matters are expected to be finalized ahead of the start of the trial proper.
She said the selection of private prosecutors is guided by three key considerations: alignment with the prosecution’s position, willingness to serve on a pro bono basis, and professional competence.
“First and foremost, dapat they share the same position as ours, ‘di ba?” she said.
“Second, dapat pro bono dahil walang pambayad ang mga public prosecutors,” she added.
She said legal competence is equally critical, given the demands of impeachment litigation, which include evidence preparation, legal research, and courtroom advocacy.
“And third, of course, we consider the competence,” Luistro said.
She added that those who have already joined the team are experienced lawyers, noting that many of them are “abogado de campanilla,” or seasoned practitioners, reinforcing the prosecution’s capacity as it moves closer to trial.