Manila: The House prosecution panel on Thursday revealed a strong team of veteran litigators, former government lawyers, and legal academics who will act as private prosecutors in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte. This strategic move is intended to bolster the team presenting the case before the Senate impeachment court.
According to Philippines News agency, Lead prosecutor and House Committee on Justice Chair, Gerville 'Jinky Bitrics' Luistro, shared that these lawyers are volunteering on a pro bono basis. Their role is to assist the House prosecutors in tasks such as preparing witnesses, managing evidence, drafting pleadings, and formulating trial strategies.
'This marks an important day for the nation as we introduce the first group of private prosecutors aiding the House team. This is just the initial batch, indicating more will follow,' Luistro announced at a press conference.
The initial group includes legal minds from prestigious law firms-PECABAR Law; Kapunan and Castillo Law Offices; and SALiGAL Law-known for handling high-profile litigation, criminal prosecutions, and complex commercial cases. Key figures joining the prosecution team are Marforth Fua, managing partner of PECABAR Law; Lorna Kapunan, a renowned trial lawyer; and Amando Virgil Ligutan, a respected senior lecturer at the University of the Philippines College of Law.
Additional participants from PECABAR include partners Erwin Matib and Justine Anne Lamarca, as well as senior associate James Bryan Ibrahim Alih. From Kapunan and Castillo, senior partner Sonya Margarita Benemerito Castillo, junior partner Deanne Melissa Lorenzo-Singian, co-managing partner Bettina Zamora, and lawyer Lino Chris Kapunan join the effort.
These lawyers bring extensive experience in areas such as criminal litigation, anti-graft cases, commercial disputes, and corporate practice, enhancing the House prosecution panel's expertise.
House prosecutor and Akbayan Party-list Rep. Jose Manuel 'Chel' Diokno highlighted the historical tradition of involving private prosecutors in major impeachment trials. Diokno emphasized the crucial role private lawyers play in compiling documentary evidence and preparing witnesses for the Senate trial.
'Being a prosecutor involves meticulous work, from managing witnesses to ensuring all evidence is admissible,' Diokno explained. 'The contribution of private prosecutors is invaluable.'
Luistro noted that the participating lawyers are serving without compensation, motivated by their commitment to uphold constitutional accountability for public officials.
'Our legal team is driven by a shared belief in transparency and accountability, which aligns with the Constitution's mandate,' Luistro stated. 'Despite the expanded legal team, the House prosecution panel retains control of the case.'
Diokno affirmed this structure, stating that private prosecutors will operate under the public prosecutors' authority as outlined by the impeachment proceedings' rules.
Luistro expressed increased confidence in the House prosecution panel due to the involvement of prominent private lawyers. 'Our confidence is bolstered not just by the expertise of these lawyers but also by the robust evidence backing the impeachment complaint,' she remarked.
The collaboration between the House prosecution panel and private prosecutors aims to present a compelling case as the impeachment trial progresses.
