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Advocates Philippines
De Lima And Diokno Joining VP Sara Impeachment Team? Ortega Says It's 'Justice In Full Force'
FILE
Things are heating up as the House gears up for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte—and the latest move just added serious legal weight to the process.
House Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega of La Union gave a big thumbs up on Thursday to the inclusion of former Senator Leila de Lima and human rights lawyer Chel Diokno in the prosecution team. For Ortega, their entry isn’t just a boost—it’s a game-changer.
“We didn’t just add members to the team—we added two of the most respected voices in human rights and rule of law,” Ortega said in Filipino. “Having incoming Representatives De Lima and Diokno on board adds not just legal depth, but moral clarity to the case.”
Both De Lima and Diokno recently won seats in Congress through their respective party-lists—Mamamayang Liberal and Akbayan—and accepted Speaker Martin Romualdez’s invitation to join the House prosecution panel.
Their inclusion, Ortega said, isn’t just for optics. “They are legal heavyweights. Their presence shows that this isn’t a political circus—it’s a serious legal undertaking,” he said.
The impeachment trial stems from allegations that VP Duterte misused P612.5 million in confidential funds and publicly made threats against President Bongbong Marcos—accusations that the House found to be potential grounds for betrayal of public trust.
Ortega emphasized that the trial goes beyond partisanship. “This isn’t a fight between colors or parties. This is about truth and accountability,” he stressed. “Justice is moving, and we’re showing the nation that no one is above the law.”
For Ortega, bringing De Lima and Diokno on board sends a powerful message—that in the fight for what’s right, there’s room for those who stand for principle, even if they’re not part of the majority bloc.
“We want the public to see that this is real, that this is rooted in the Constitution. Their presence guarantees that the legal process will be credible, thorough, and firmly grounded,” Ortega said.
De Lima, who was jailed during most of the Duterte administration but later acquitted of all charges, and Diokno, a veteran rights defender and educator, are both no strangers to standing up for justice.
“This is justice in full force,” Ortega concluded. “And we’re lucky to have them on our side.”
House Deputy Majority Leader Paolo Ortega of La Union gave a big thumbs up on Thursday to the inclusion of former Senator Leila de Lima and human rights lawyer Chel Diokno in the prosecution team. For Ortega, their entry isn’t just a boost—it’s a game-changer.
“We didn’t just add members to the team—we added two of the most respected voices in human rights and rule of law,” Ortega said in Filipino. “Having incoming Representatives De Lima and Diokno on board adds not just legal depth, but moral clarity to the case.”
Both De Lima and Diokno recently won seats in Congress through their respective party-lists—Mamamayang Liberal and Akbayan—and accepted Speaker Martin Romualdez’s invitation to join the House prosecution panel.
Their inclusion, Ortega said, isn’t just for optics. “They are legal heavyweights. Their presence shows that this isn’t a political circus—it’s a serious legal undertaking,” he said.
The impeachment trial stems from allegations that VP Duterte misused P612.5 million in confidential funds and publicly made threats against President Bongbong Marcos—accusations that the House found to be potential grounds for betrayal of public trust.
Ortega emphasized that the trial goes beyond partisanship. “This isn’t a fight between colors or parties. This is about truth and accountability,” he stressed. “Justice is moving, and we’re showing the nation that no one is above the law.”
For Ortega, bringing De Lima and Diokno on board sends a powerful message—that in the fight for what’s right, there’s room for those who stand for principle, even if they’re not part of the majority bloc.
“We want the public to see that this is real, that this is rooted in the Constitution. Their presence guarantees that the legal process will be credible, thorough, and firmly grounded,” Ortega said.
De Lima, who was jailed during most of the Duterte administration but later acquitted of all charges, and Diokno, a veteran rights defender and educator, are both no strangers to standing up for justice.
“This is justice in full force,” Ortega concluded. “And we’re lucky to have them on our side.”
May 15, 2025
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