THE House of Representatives on Wednesday formally authorized its public and private prosecutors to act on its behalf in all pre-trial proceedings and incidental matters before the Senate sitting as an impeachment court, ahead of the June 18 pre-trial conference in the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte.
The authority was granted through a motion introduced by impeachment prosecutor and House Assistant Majority Leader San Juan City Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora during a special session called by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. The session was presided over by Senior Deputy Speaker and South Cotabato 2nd District Rep. Ferdinand “Dinand” Hernandez.
“I move to authorize the House public prosecutors and the private prosecutors, subject to the direction, control, and supervision of the House public prosecutors, in the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Zimmerman Duterte, to act for and on behalf of the House of Representatives in all pre-trial proceedings and incidental matters before the Senate sitting as an impeachment court,” Zamora said.
Under the authority granted by the chamber, the prosecution team may simplify issues, secure stipulations and admissions of facts and documents, identify witnesses, establish the number of witnesses, set trial dates, and undertake other actions necessary to facilitate the prompt disposition of the case.
The motion also authorizes the prosecution panel to enlist private counsel, experts and consultants.
With no objections raised, Hernandez declared the motion approved.
The authority comes as the House prosecution team intensifies preparations for the impeachment proceedings.
Last Monday, the prosecution submitted a 57-page pre-trial brief, along with the list of witnesses and documentary evidence it intends to present during the trial.
House Secretary General Atty. Cheloy Garafil filed the pleading on behalf of the 11-member panel led by House Committee on Justice Chairperson and Batangas Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro.
The prosecution also submitted the entry of appearance of the 10 private lawyers who will assist the House prosecutors during the impeachment proceedings.
Earlier that day, Luistro announced that the prosecution plans to present more than 30 witnesses during the impeachment trial.
She said the list was expanded to include additional individuals whose testimony could help establish the allegations contained in the Articles of Impeachment.
The filing comes days before the Senate impeachment court’s scheduled pre-trial conference on June 18, where both sides are expected to identify their evidence, witnesses and other matters that will govern the conduct of the trial.
The House prosecution panel has repeatedly said it is prepared to present evidence supporting all four Articles of Impeachment against Duterte, which include allegations of misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, bribery, and threats against the country’s top officials.
Aside from Luistro, the prosecution panel is composed Reps. Terry Ridon of Bicol Saro Party-list, Ramon Rodrigo “Rodge” Gutierrez of 1-Rider Party-list, Zamora, Lorenz Defensor of Iloilo’s 3rd District, Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno of Akbayan Party-list, Leila de Lima of Mamamayang Liberal Party-list, Arlene “Kaka” Bag-ao of Dinagat Islands, Jonathan Keith Flores of Bukidnon’s 2nd District, Lordan Suan of Cagayan de Oro City’s 1st District, and Joel Chua of Manila’s 3rd District.
Assisting them on a pro bono basis are 10 private lawyers from PECABAR Law, Kapunan and Castillo Law Offices, and Sapayan Lim Alvarez & Ligutan (SALiGAL) Law.
The private prosecutors are Marforth Fua, James Bryan Ibrahim Alih, Erwin Matib and Justine Anne Lamarca of PECABAR Law; Lorna Kapunan, Sonya Margarita Renemerito-Castillo, Deanne Melissa Lorenzo-Singian, Bettina Zamora and Lino Chris Kapunan of Kapunan and Castillo Law Offices; and Amando Virgil Ligutan of SALiGAL Law.
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