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Advocates Philippines
House Names 11-Member Team For Sara Duterte Impeachment Trial
FILE
The House of Representatives on Tuesday officially formed its 11-member prosecution panel for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, tapping a mix of senior lawmakers, veteran lawyers, and prominent human rights advocates to present the case before the Senate.
During the plenary session presided over by Deputy Speaker Ferjenel Biron, Las Piñas Rep. Mark Anthony Santos moved to formally elect the prosecutors. The motion was approved by the chamber.
The prosecution panel will handle the presentation of the Articles of Impeachment and supporting evidence once the Senate convenes as an impeachment court.
Named to the House prosecution team were Reps. Joel Chua, Leila de Lima, Gerville Luistro, Terry Ridon, Chel Diokno, Ysabel Maria Zamora, Lordan Suan, Jonathan Keith Flores, Lorenz Defensor, Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez, and Arlene Bag-ao.
Several members of the panel are known for their legal backgrounds and involvement in major national cases.
De Lima, currently Senior Deputy Minority Leader, previously served as justice secretary, senator, and chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights. She also gained international attention for her human rights advocacy and was once named by Time Magazine among the world’s “100 Most Influential People.”
Diokno, a longtime human rights lawyer and former chair of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), also served as a private prosecutor during the impeachment proceedings against former President Joseph Estrada.
Luistro, who currently heads the House Committee on Justice, became known for her role in high-profile congressional investigations, including the tax credit scam probe during the Arroyo administration.
Chua, chairperson of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, has led investigations involving confidential funds and corruption issues in recent years.
Among the prosecutors with previous impeachment experience is Bag-ao, who served as a prosecutor during the impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona.
The House prosecution team is expected to lead the chamber’s case once the Senate begins proceedings on Duterte’s impeachment trial.
During the plenary session presided over by Deputy Speaker Ferjenel Biron, Las Piñas Rep. Mark Anthony Santos moved to formally elect the prosecutors. The motion was approved by the chamber.
The prosecution panel will handle the presentation of the Articles of Impeachment and supporting evidence once the Senate convenes as an impeachment court.
Named to the House prosecution team were Reps. Joel Chua, Leila de Lima, Gerville Luistro, Terry Ridon, Chel Diokno, Ysabel Maria Zamora, Lordan Suan, Jonathan Keith Flores, Lorenz Defensor, Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez, and Arlene Bag-ao.
Several members of the panel are known for their legal backgrounds and involvement in major national cases.
De Lima, currently Senior Deputy Minority Leader, previously served as justice secretary, senator, and chairperson of the Commission on Human Rights. She also gained international attention for her human rights advocacy and was once named by Time Magazine among the world’s “100 Most Influential People.”
Diokno, a longtime human rights lawyer and former chair of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), also served as a private prosecutor during the impeachment proceedings against former President Joseph Estrada.
Luistro, who currently heads the House Committee on Justice, became known for her role in high-profile congressional investigations, including the tax credit scam probe during the Arroyo administration.
Chua, chairperson of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, has led investigations involving confidential funds and corruption issues in recent years.
Among the prosecutors with previous impeachment experience is Bag-ao, who served as a prosecutor during the impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona.
The House prosecution team is expected to lead the chamber’s case once the Senate begins proceedings on Duterte’s impeachment trial.
May 12, 2026
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