Private prosecutors assisting the House prosecution panel in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte said they are ready to perform any task assigned to them, including possible cross-examination if the Vice President chooses to testify.
Veteran lawyer Lorna Kapunan of Kapunan and Castillo Law Offices said the volunteer legal team is prepared to take part directly in the proceedings if asked by the 11-member House prosecution panel.
“If that is the role that the public prosecutors will assign to us, yes,” Kapunan said at a press conference when asked if she would be willing to cross-examine Duterte.
Kapunan, however, clarified that such a scenario remains hypothetical unless the Vice President personally appears before the Senate impeachment court.
“But I think the public prosecutors are, in our view, all competent to cross-examine the Vice President if and when she appears,” she said.
Kapunan stressed that the private lawyers are not taking over the case and will remain under the control and supervision of the House prosecution panel.
“We are a supportive role. We are here, kagaya ng mga kaso sa korte, under the control and supervision of the public prosecutors,” she said.
She said the private prosecutors are expected to provide litigation support, legal research, and updates on relevant Supreme Court rulings and jurisprudence that may help the prosecution in the impeachment proceedings.
Kapunan also dismissed suggestions that the private lawyers are seeking a prominent role in the trial.
“Supporting cast lang po kami,” she said.
The House prosecution panel introduced the first batch of private prosecutors on Thursday. The group is composed of lawyers from PECABAR Law, Kapunan and Castillo Law Offices, and SALiGAL Law.
They will assist in preparing witnesses, evidence, legal submissions, and pleadings as the impeachment case proceeds before the Senate sitting as an impeachment court.