Private Lawyers Bolster Prosecution Team in VP Duterte Impeachment Trial

MANILA, Philippines — The prosecution team in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte in the House of Representatives has been bolstered by the inclusion of several prominent private lawyers. Among the new additions are former Supreme Court spokesperson Theodore Te, Reynaldo Robles, Mae Divinagracia, and Arnold Labay. Rep. Leila de Lima of the Mamamayang Liberal party-list formally introduced the newest members of the private prosecution panel, along with an additional spokesperson and impeachment adviser for the panel. Robles is notably known as a long-time defense attorney for former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, a vocal critic of the Dutertes. He previously represented Trillanes in a legal battle against the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte concerning the revocation of Trillanes' amnesty before the Makati Regional Trial Court. "In this impeachment case, we decided to volunteer because we believe we just can’t simply close our eyes to unacceptable developments in the country. No way we should ignore them," Robles stated at a press briefing, emphasizing his commitment to participate voluntarily. Divinagracia, managing partner of Co Nazario Velasco-Catera and Divinagracia Law Offices, expressed her aim to utilize her litigation experience to present facts objectively before the senator-judges. Labay, a certified public accountant and senior partner at Chan Robles & Associates, urged Filipinos to remain vigilant against fake news by closely following the proceedings to form their own judgments based on the evidence presented. Former Surigao del Norte congressman Robert Ace Barbers has also been appointed as a spokesperson and impeachment advisor for the team. Benjamin Tolosa Jr. will serve as both a legal spokesman and a private prosecutor. Other prosecution spokespersons include Representatives Zia Alonto Adiong and Renee Co. The involvement of these private lawyers is expected to add complexity to the impeachment proceedings and further influence the Vice President's political standing. Impeachment trials in the Philippines often become arenas for intense political maneuvering, drawing significant public attention.