House prosecutors tap private lawyers for VP Sara’s impeachment trial

HOUSE prosecutors have enlisted the first batch of private lawyers who will assist in the impeachment trial of Vice-President (VP) Sara Duterte-Carpio, Batangas Rep. Gerville R. Luistro said on Thursday, with more volunteers expected to join in succeeding batches.

Speaking at a press conference, Ms. Luistro said that the House of Representatives sought the assistance of private legal practitioners who have agreed to work on a volunteer basis because they share the chamber’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

“We solicited the help of private lawyers who are willing to be with us on this cause on a volunteer basis,” she said, noting that the private prosecutors also believe in the mandate of the Constitution and accountability.

According to Ms. Luistro, the first batch of private prosecutors is made up of veteran litigators, former government lawyer, law firm partners, and legal academics from prominent law firms PECABAR Law, Kapunan and Castillo Law Offices, and SALiGAL Law.

Among those identified are Marforth T. Fua, managing partner of PECABAR Law and former assistant presidential legal counsel, veteran trial lawyer Lorna Patajo-Kapunan, and Cebu-based lawyer Amando Virgil D. Ligutan, managing partner of SALiGAL Law and UP College of Law lecturer.

Also joining are PECABAR partners Erwin G. Matib and Justine Anne L. Lamarca and senior associate James Bryan Ibrahim A. Alih, as well as Kapunan and Castillo senior partner Sonya Margarita Benemerito-Castillo, junior partner Deanna Melissa S. Lorenzo-Singian, managing partner Lino Chris P. Kapunan and co-managing partner Bettina N. Zamora.

According to Ms. Luistro, these lawyers have extensive experience in criminal litigation, anti-graft cases, corporate disputes, arbitration, labor and tax law, and other complex cases.

She added that the private lawyers will assist in legal research, organization of documents, preparation of witnesses, drafting of pleadings, and other tasks necessary for the trial.

Party-list Rep. Jose Manuel I. Diokno also supported the initiative, underscoring the significance of the role of private prosecutors in preparing evidence and witnesses.

“The job of a prosecutor is not easy. There are many things to do in terms of witnesses, in terms of evidence, exhibits, making sure that all evidence we present is admitted by the court,” Mr. Diokno said in mixed Filipino and English.

Meanwhile, the House prosecution panel clarified that the services of private prosecutors are voluntary and free of charge.

“We solicited the help of private lawyers who are willing to be with us on this cause on a voluntary basis. Better known as pro bono, or for our countrymen to understand better, it means free, free of charge,” Ms. Luistro said in mixed English and Filipino.

She also maintained that the entire case would remain under the control of House prosecutors. — Pexcel John Bacon