Batangas: House Rep. Gerville Luistro on Thursday announced that the House of Representatives is prepared to bolster its legal team, potentially enlisting seasoned private litigators if the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte proceeds to the Senate for trial.

According to Philippines News Agency, Luistro emphasized in a radio interview that a full trial setting necessitates a specialized mix of legislative experience and active courtroom expertise to effectively present the case. She confirmed her intention to recommend the engagement of private prosecutors to support the House members joining the panel of prosecutors, acknowledging that many of her lawyer-colleagues, including herself, may lack recent litigation experience compared to the likely specialized defense team.

Luistro explained the formal structure of the prosecution, noting that while the rules specify 11 public prosecutors, the involvement of private lawyers remains more flexible. She indicated that the decision would depend on their willingness to assist the House of Representatives in prosecuting the case.

The selection of House prosecutors will occur through a plenary election, similar to other internal House positions. Luistro has not yet decided if she will serve on the prosecution panel, emphasizing that her current focus is on finalizing the committee's work and defending its findings before the House plenary.

She anticipates a challenging process ahead, particularly during the approval of the committee report and the articles of impeachment, expecting a vigorous debate in the plenary before a final vote on the potential transmission of the articles of impeachment.