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House Prosecution Team Appears At Senate Pre-Trial In VP Sara Duterte Impeachment Case
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The House of Representatives’ impeachment prosecution panel formally appeared before the Senate on Thursday for the pre-trial conference in the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte, marking another key step before the full impeachment trial begins.
Leading the prosecution team was Batangas Representative Gerville Luistro, who was joined by fellow House prosecutors Reps. Jose Manuel Diokno, Leila de Lima, Ysabel Maria Zamora, Lorenz Defensor, Jonathan Keith Flores, Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez, Lordan Suan, Joel Chua, and Terry Ridon.
Representative Arlene Bag-ao, also a member of the prosecution panel, was unable to attend the proceedings as she is currently attending to family matters following the passing of her father.
Private lawyers tapped to assist the House prosecutors were likewise present during the conference, while members of the Vice President’s defense panel also attended the proceedings.
The pre-trial conference was presided over by Senate Secretary and Clerk of the Impeachment Court Atty. Renato Bantug Jr., who facilitated discussions between both sides ahead of the formal trial.
The proceeding focused on laying the groundwork for the impeachment case, including defining and simplifying the issues to be resolved, identifying documentary evidence and witnesses, considering possible stipulations and admissions of facts, and addressing procedural matters.
These pre-trial steps are intended to ensure that the impeachment proceedings will be conducted in an orderly, fair, and efficient manner once the trial proper begins.
The appearance of both the prosecution and defense panels signals the continued progression of the impeachment case, with both sides expected to finalize the evidence and arguments they intend to present before the Senate impeachment court.
House prosecutors have previously expressed readiness to present their evidence and witnesses, while the defense is expected to challenge the allegations contained in the Articles of Impeachment against the Vice President.
With the pre-trial process now underway, attention shifts to the next stages of the proceedings as the Senate prepares for what is expected to be one of the most closely watched political and legal battles in the country.
Leading the prosecution team was Batangas Representative Gerville Luistro, who was joined by fellow House prosecutors Reps. Jose Manuel Diokno, Leila de Lima, Ysabel Maria Zamora, Lorenz Defensor, Jonathan Keith Flores, Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez, Lordan Suan, Joel Chua, and Terry Ridon.
Representative Arlene Bag-ao, also a member of the prosecution panel, was unable to attend the proceedings as she is currently attending to family matters following the passing of her father.
Private lawyers tapped to assist the House prosecutors were likewise present during the conference, while members of the Vice President’s defense panel also attended the proceedings.
The pre-trial conference was presided over by Senate Secretary and Clerk of the Impeachment Court Atty. Renato Bantug Jr., who facilitated discussions between both sides ahead of the formal trial.
The proceeding focused on laying the groundwork for the impeachment case, including defining and simplifying the issues to be resolved, identifying documentary evidence and witnesses, considering possible stipulations and admissions of facts, and addressing procedural matters.
These pre-trial steps are intended to ensure that the impeachment proceedings will be conducted in an orderly, fair, and efficient manner once the trial proper begins.
The appearance of both the prosecution and defense panels signals the continued progression of the impeachment case, with both sides expected to finalize the evidence and arguments they intend to present before the Senate impeachment court.
House prosecutors have previously expressed readiness to present their evidence and witnesses, while the defense is expected to challenge the allegations contained in the Articles of Impeachment against the Vice President.
With the pre-trial process now underway, attention shifts to the next stages of the proceedings as the Senate prepares for what is expected to be one of the most closely watched political and legal battles in the country.
Jun 18, 2026
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