By Brian Campued
House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Wednesday said he would welcome the inclusion of former senator Leila de Lima and human rights lawyer Chel Diokno in the House prosecution panel for the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte in the Senate.
According to Romualdez, De Lima and Diokno’s “lifelong record of upholding the rule of law and protecting democratic institutions” would strengthen the credibility of the case against the Vice President.
“Their involvement would be a valuable contribution to ensuring that the proceedings are fair, principled, and rooted in the public interest,” he said.
“The Senate, as the impeachment court, deserves to hear a case presented with competence and credibility. The participation of figures like De Lima and Diokno will help ensure that,” the Speaker added.
The veteran lawyers are poised to enter the 20th Congress as representatives of Mamamayang Liberal (ML) party-list and Akbayan party-list based on the partial-unofficial results of the May 12 midterm polls.
Seven of the 11-member prosecution panel are expected to retain their seats in the House of Representatives after winning in the congressional race in their respective localities: Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop, Oriental Mindoro Rep. Arnan Panaligan, Iloilo Rep. Lorenz Defensor, Bukidnon Rep. Keith Flores, Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, Manila Rep. Joel Chua, and San Juan City Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora.
4Ps Rep. Marcelino Libanan is also expected to return as part of the panel as the party-list already surpassed the 2% threshold needed from the total number of party-list votes to earn seats in the lower chamber.
Meanwhile, the seat for 1-Rider Rep. Ramon Gutierrez is still uncertain as his party-list is lagging behind.
On the other hand, General Santos Rep. Loreto Acharon and Ako Bicol Rep. Angelo Bongalon lost their respective bids for a House seat in the recently concluded elections.
In a statement, De Lima said she has accepted the invitation—underscoring her commitment to upholding truth, accountability, and the rule of law regardless of political affiliation and leadership.
“This is not about personalities or partisan politics. It is about honoring the public trust and the responsibilities that come with it,” De Lima said.
Akbayan Party—which endorsed the first impeachment complaint against the Vice President—also welcomed the invitation for its first nominee Diokno to join the House prosecution panel.
“Incoming Akbayan Representative Atty. Chel Diokno will join the House prosecution panel,” it said. “Buong tapang na tinatanggap ng Akbayan ang bagong kabanata ng laban para sa katarungan at pananagutan.”
Duterte faces impeachment charges stemming from issues related to the Office of the Vice President’s alleged abuse and misuse of confidential funds in 2022. (with report from Mela Lesmoras / PTV News)
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