The House prosecution panel has divided the duties of each prosecutor for the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. According to lead prosecutor and House Justice Committee Chairperson Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro, each prosecutor will handle at least two articles of impeachment to expedite the presentation of evidence and hearing of witnesses.
The allegations against Duterte include the alleged misuse of confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, unexplained wealth, bribery, and alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez. The prosecution panel assured that they are ready to prove the four articles of impeachment using evidence from congressional investigations, including reports from the PSA, NBI, and COA.
Article I: Violation of Constitution, Graft, and Betrayal of Public Trust
Nine prosecutors were assigned to Article I, which accuses Duterte of willful violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust due to the alleged misuse of PHP500 million in confidential funds of the Office of the Vice President and PHP112.5 million in confidential funds of the Department of Education (DepEd). The prosecutors handling this article include Luistro as lead, Manila Rep. Joel Chua as second lead, and Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno, Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, Iloilo Rep. Lorenz Defensor, Bukidnon Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores, 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez, and Cagayan de Oro Rep. Lordan Suan.
Article II: Unexplained Wealth and SALN Violations
Another nine prosecutors will handle Article II, which cites willful violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust due to Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth, failure to fully declare her assets in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN), and failure to divest her business interests while in office. Ridon will lead the prosecution for this article, with Diokno as second lead. The remaining prosecutors include Luistro, De Lima, Chua, Flores, Gutierrez, Suan, and Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao.
Article III: Bribery and Graft
Article III charges Duterte with bribery, graft and corruption, and willful violation of the Constitution for allegedly distributing cash gifts to senior DepEd officials to bypass procurement and other related laws. Assigned to this article are San Juan City Rep. Ysabel “Bel” Zamora, Chua, Gutierrez, and Bag-ao, with Chua as lead and Gutierrez as second lead.
Article IV: Threats and Inciting Sedition
Finally, Article IV accuses Duterte of willful violation of the Constitution, high crimes, and betrayal of public trust for allegedly threatening President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez, as well as inciting sedition. Defensor and De Lima will serve as lead and second lead, respectively, with Luistro and Zamora also included.
