The proposal to turn incoming House members Leila de Lima and Chel Diokno into solon-prosecutors in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte is quickly gaining traction.
This, after House Speaker Martin Romualdez himself approved the idea, and at the same time extolled the two lawyers' credentials.
“Former Senator De Lima and Atty. Diokno are two of the most respected legal minds in the country. Their potential inclusion in the prosecution panel would add credibility, balance, and depth to this constitutionally mandated process,” Romualdez said in a statement Wednesday afternoon, May 14.
“They are not just veteran lawyers—they are public servants with a lifelong record of upholding the rule of law and protecting democratic institutions. Their involvement would be a valuable contribution to ensuring that the proceedings are fair, principled, and rooted in the public interest,” added the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president.
De Lima and Diokno are poised to attain seats in the House of Representatives as representatives of ML Party-list and Akbayan Party-list, respectively, in the upcoming 20th Congress.
Forming the prosecution team against an impeached official is the House leadership's call.
Right after it impeached Vice President Duterte last Feb. 5, the House announced the congressmen who composed the impeachment prosecution team.
They were Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua, Batangas 2nd district Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro, Gutierrez, Bukidnon 2nd district Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores, San Juan lone district Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora, Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Jil Bongalon, Antipolo City 2nd district Rep. Romeo Acop, 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino "Nonoy" Libanan, General Santos City lone district Rep. Loreto Acharon, Oriental Mindoro 1st district Rep. Arnan Panaligan, and Iloilo 3rd district Rep. Lorenz Defensor.
But some of them lost during Monday's mid-term polls, which meant they won't be returning to the 20th Congress.
This gave rise to the proposal of tapping De Lima and Diokno as substitutes for these solon-prosecutors.
Romualdez emphasized that the upcoming Senate impeachment trial must rise above politics and personalities, and be carried out with “utmost seriousness and responsibility".
“This is not about targeting individuals. This is about fulfilling our constitutional duty with integrity. The House is committed to presenting a case based solely on facts, evidence, and the rule of law,” the House leader said.
Vice President Sara Duterte faces impeachment charges stemming from issues related to confidential funds and constitutional accountability.
“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,” Romualdez said.
The House of Representatives will undergo a reorganization of its officials at the start of the 20th Congress in July.