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House Gives Prosecutors Full Authority Ahead Of VP Sara Duterte Impeachment Pre-Trial
Photo credit: Ysabel Maria Zamora
The House of Representatives has formally empowered its impeachment prosecutors to act on its behalf in all pre-trial proceedings related to the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, as preparations intensify ahead of the Senate impeachment court’s scheduled pre-trial conference.
During a special session on Wednesday, lawmakers approved a motion authorizing both public and private prosecutors to represent the House in handling all pre-trial matters before the Senate sitting as an impeachment court.
The motion was introduced by San Juan Representative Ysabel Maria Zamora, one of the House prosecutors, and was approved without objection during a session presided over by Senior Deputy Speaker Ferdinand Hernandez.
Under the authority granted by the House, the prosecution team can negotiate stipulations and admissions, simplify issues, identify and organize witnesses, determine the number of individuals to testify, schedule trial dates, and carry out other procedural actions necessary to facilitate the proceedings.
The resolution also allows the prosecution panel to engage private lawyers, experts, and consultants to assist in preparing and presenting the case.
The move comes as House prosecutors continue to ramp up preparations for the impeachment trial.
Earlier this week, the prosecution panel submitted a 57-page pre-trial brief, along with a list of witnesses and documentary evidence that it intends to present before the impeachment court.
The filing was made by House Secretary General Atty. Cheloy Garafil on behalf of the 11-member prosecution team led by House Justice Committee Chairperson and Batangas Representative Gerville Luistro.
Luistro previously disclosed that the House plans to present more than 30 witnesses during the trial, saying the list had been expanded to include additional individuals whose testimonies could help support the allegations outlined in the Articles of Impeachment.
The Senate impeachment court is set to hold its pre-trial conference on June 18, where both the prosecution and defense are expected to identify their evidence, witnesses, and other matters that will shape the conduct of the trial.
House prosecutors have maintained that they are prepared to present evidence supporting all four Articles of Impeachment against Duterte. These include allegations involving the misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, and threats against high-ranking government officials.
To strengthen its legal team, the House has also enlisted the assistance of 10 private lawyers from several law firms who will serve on a pro bono basis alongside the public prosecutors.
With the pre-trial conference drawing near, the House prosecution panel says it is ready to move forward and present its case before the Senate impeachment court.
During a special session on Wednesday, lawmakers approved a motion authorizing both public and private prosecutors to represent the House in handling all pre-trial matters before the Senate sitting as an impeachment court.
The motion was introduced by San Juan Representative Ysabel Maria Zamora, one of the House prosecutors, and was approved without objection during a session presided over by Senior Deputy Speaker Ferdinand Hernandez.
Under the authority granted by the House, the prosecution team can negotiate stipulations and admissions, simplify issues, identify and organize witnesses, determine the number of individuals to testify, schedule trial dates, and carry out other procedural actions necessary to facilitate the proceedings.
The resolution also allows the prosecution panel to engage private lawyers, experts, and consultants to assist in preparing and presenting the case.
The move comes as House prosecutors continue to ramp up preparations for the impeachment trial.
Earlier this week, the prosecution panel submitted a 57-page pre-trial brief, along with a list of witnesses and documentary evidence that it intends to present before the impeachment court.
The filing was made by House Secretary General Atty. Cheloy Garafil on behalf of the 11-member prosecution team led by House Justice Committee Chairperson and Batangas Representative Gerville Luistro.
Luistro previously disclosed that the House plans to present more than 30 witnesses during the trial, saying the list had been expanded to include additional individuals whose testimonies could help support the allegations outlined in the Articles of Impeachment.
The Senate impeachment court is set to hold its pre-trial conference on June 18, where both the prosecution and defense are expected to identify their evidence, witnesses, and other matters that will shape the conduct of the trial.
House prosecutors have maintained that they are prepared to present evidence supporting all four Articles of Impeachment against Duterte. These include allegations involving the misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, and threats against high-ranking government officials.
To strengthen its legal team, the House has also enlisted the assistance of 10 private lawyers from several law firms who will serve on a pro bono basis alongside the public prosecutors.
With the pre-trial conference drawing near, the House prosecution panel says it is ready to move forward and present its case before the Senate impeachment court.
Jun 18, 2026
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