Legal heavyweights rush to join Sara Duterte impeachment trial

National

IT SEEMS like a stacked prosecution team is shaping up for the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Iloilo Rep. Lorenz Defensor, a member of the 11-person prosecution panel, confirmed in an Inquirer report that legal experts from across the country had expressed eagerness to assist in securing the vice president’s conviction.

“Actually, we’ve been swamped with offers (‘dinagsa’) from legal eagles from across the country who want to help and want the impeachment trial to proceed,” said Defensor, who did not disclose specific names.

Depending on the rules the Senate sets for the proceedings, there is a possibility of the prosecution team enlisting private lawyers, similar to past impeachment cases against former President Joseph Estrada and the late Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Defensor emphasized that the prosecution team has been working tirelessly on its strategies, even as the Senate has yet to convene as an impeachment court.

Their focus, he said, is on refining legal arguments and game plans in preparation for the trial, which is expected to start by late July, following President Marcos’ State of the Nation Address.

The case against VP Sara

The impeachment complaint, originally signed by 215 lawmakers, accuses Duterte of multiple offenses, including a culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust. A key allegation centers on the questionable use of P612.5 million in confidential funds during her tenure as Vice President and as head of the Department of Education (DepEd). An additional 25 lawmakers endorsed the complaint after its formal transmission to the Senate on February 5.

Defensor revealed that the prosecution panel has yet to appoint a lead prosecutor.

“But I think we have a good understanding of our strengths and our capabilities, which ones that we think will be best suited for us when we present the evidence,” he said.

He also indicated that different prosecutors may handle multiple articles of impeachment. The case involves seven charges, including Duterte’s alleged assassination threats against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez; the alleged misuse of confidential funds; and overall destabilizing behavior as Vice President.

“We could even cross over [to] the other articles. If you look at it, some are interrelated, especially if the charge is betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution,” Defensor noted.

Will Duterte show up?

While expressing confidence in securing a conviction, Defensor stressed the importance of Duterte attending the trial and testifying. The Vice President has hinted at skipping the proceedings whenever possible, though the 1987 Constitution does not require an impeached official to be present.

Duterte can only be removed from office if at least 16 out of 24 senators vote to convict her on at least one charge.

Defensor’s statements followed remarks by Deputy Majority Leader and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega, who disclosed that the House impeachment secretariat had already held a preparatory meeting on February 12.

Romualdez made a brief appearance during the meeting, Ortega said, offering words of encouragement and reminding the prosecution team to stay committed to the cause.

“We have to stay true to what we [have] voted upon.” Ortega quoted Romualdez as saying.

Ortega added that the team was preparing for all possible scenarios, including a fast-tracked trial that could begin as early as June once the Senate resumes session.

“There is nothing wrong if we prepare for any scenario that the trial may be fast-tracked or it starts in June. We don’t have any control in this kind of situation so we might as well be ready,” he said.

A defining moment for the 2025 elections?

Meanwhile, two assistant majority leaders, Taguig City Rep. Amparo Maria Zamora and 1-Rider Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez, urged senatorial candidates to publicly declare their stance on Duterte’s impeachment.

Zamora insisted that the trial should be a major election issue, as it concerns transparency, accountability, and the responsible use of public funds.

“Absolutely, this will be an election issue. We should be asking our senatorial candidates on how they want their elected officials to be penalized with regard to the impunity in the use of taxpayers’ money, or abuse in government coffers,” Zamora said.

Gutierrez echoed the sentiment, arguing that voters should move beyond personality politics and instead evaluate candidates based on their stance on Duterte’s impeachment.

“At least now, we already have an issue on how we think our senatorial candidates will fare with regard to the Duterte impeachment complaint,” he said.(MyTVCebu)