By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The House of Representatives has strengthened its prosecution panel for the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte with the addition of a former Supreme Court spokesperson and several veteran private lawyers, just days before the Senate convenes as an impeachment court.
Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima announced Monday that former Supreme Court spokesperson Theodore Te, a senior member of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), has joined the prosecution team.
Also named to the panel were veteran litigators Reynaldo Robles and Arnold Labay of Chan Robles and Associates Law Firm, as well as Mae Divinagracia of Co Nazario Velasco-Catera and Divinagracia Law Offices.
De Lima said the inclusion of seasoned legal practitioners is expected to reinforce the House prosecution panel as it prepares to present its case when the impeachment trial opens on July 6.
The House prosecution team is composed primarily of lawyer-legislators who will argue the impeachment complaint before the Senate sitting as an impeachment court. The addition of experienced private practitioners is seen as enhancing the panel’s courtroom expertise in what is expected to be one of the country’s most consequential constitutional proceedings.
Robles said he volunteered to join the prosecution out of a sense of professional and civic duty.
“In this impeachment case, we found the courage to volunteer because we can no longer close our eyes to developments in our society that we believe are unacceptable and can no longer be ignored,” he said.
De Lima also announced that former Surigao del Norte Second District Representative Robert Ace Barbers has been designated as one of the prosecution panel’s official spokespersons.
The expanded legal team is expected to assist House prosecutors in presenting evidence and arguing the articles of impeachment against Vice President Duterte, who faces allegations that include misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, and other alleged impeachable offenses.
Vice President Duterte has denied all allegations and is expected to present her defense once the impeachment proceedings formally begin before the Senate.
ia/xf
