The 11-member House prosecution panel said it is now in full preparation mode for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, as it laid out initial assignments for the four major Articles of Impeachment during its first press briefing since the Senate convened as an impeachment court.
Lead prosecutor Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro said the panel is preparing for both pre-trial proceedings and the formal trial, with all members expected to actively participate once proceedings begin.
“We are currently preparing already for the forthcoming pre-trial and trial of these Articles of Impeachment,” Luistro said.
“Rest assured that the 11 prosecutors are already in its full swing of preparation. So come the pre-trial and the trial, you will expect that the 11 prosecutors will be there to appear before the impeachment court,” she added.
The prosecution panel is composed of Luistro, 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 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.
Luistro said the panel has divided work into four teams corresponding to the Articles of Impeachment: threats and destabilization, bribery, unexplained wealth, and confidential funds.
She clarified, however, that the assignments remain subject to adjustments and do not determine the order of presentation in trial.
“This is a matter which is still being discussed,” she said.
The article on threats and destabilization, led by Defensor with De Lima, Zamora, and Luistro, stems from allegations involving a 2024 online press conference where Duterte allegedly made remarks about supposed threats against top government officials.
The bribery article, assigned to Chua with Gutierrez, Bag-ao, and Zamora, involves allegations linked to cash envelopes and procurement-related activities within the Department of Education.
The unexplained wealth article, led by Ridon with Diokno, Bag-ao, Gutierrez, Luistro, Chua, De Lima, Suan, and Flores, focuses on alleged wealth accumulation said to be inconsistent with declared income based on financial records presented in House hearings.
The confidential funds article, led by Luistro with Chua, Defensor, Gutierrez, Suan, Flores, Diokno, and Ridon, centers on alleged irregularities in the use and liquidation of P612.5 million in confidential funds under the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education during Duterte’s tenure as education secretary.
The prosecution panel also welcomed the Senate’s formal convening as an impeachment court, while underscoring that the Constitution requires not just convening but the immediate conduct of trial proceedings.
“As we witnessed yesterday, the impeachment court already convened, and we commend the action of the Senate of the Philippines for responding to the mandate of the Constitution,” Luistro said.
“Nevertheless, let us all be reminded that what is mandated to be forthwith is not only the convening, it is the trial that is mandated to be forthwith.”
Photo courtesy of Brigada News FM Manila
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