The House of Representatives has officially appointed an 11-member team to prosecute Vice President Sara Duterte during her impeachment trial.
This decision was made shortly after the House voted 257-25 in favor of impeachment, with nine members abstaining.
The prosecution team includes Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville R. Luistro, who chaired the House Committee on Justice, along with ten other representatives from various districts.
Key members of the team are Bicol Saro Partylist Rep. Teddy Ridon, 1-Rider party-list Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez, and San Juan City Representative Ysabel Maria Zamora.
The impeachment process is guided by the 1987 Constitution, which states that the Senate must conduct the trial 'forthwith.' However, the Supreme Court has clarified that this term allows for flexibility based on the circumstances.
In a speech following the impeachment vote, Cavite 4th District Representative Francisco 'Kiko' Barzaga expressed his concerns about the implications of removing Duterte, labeling her as a key figure in anti-corruption efforts.
Barzaga criticized his colleagues, suggesting that their actions were motivated by fear of Duterte's presidential ambitions rather than genuine concern for governance.
Conversely, Kabataan Party-list representative Renee Co supported the impeachment, citing substantial evidence of corruption and discrepancies in Duterte's asset declarations.
Co highlighted that investigations revealed billions in financial transactions linked to the Vice President and her husband, which were not properly declared.
Dr. Jean Lindo, a local activist, emphasized that supporting the impeachment is crucial for accountability and justice, arguing that the trial would clarify Duterte's standing.
Lindo pointed out that accountability is essential for democracy and public trust, warning against allowing high officials to evade scrutiny.
Rauf Sissay, a representative from Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), insisted that the impeachment process must not be delayed, stating that the public deserves transparency regarding the Vice President's financial dealings.