Reelected "Young Guns" bloc members La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega and Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong were hyped by incoming House members Leila de Lima and Chel Diokno's decision to join the prosecution team against the impeached Vice President Sara Duterte. 

“This is justice in full force. Nagpapadala tayo ng mahalagang mensahe: walang exempted sa rule of law, kahit sino pa ang nasasangkot (We're sending an important message: the rule of law exempts no one, no mater who is involved),,” Ortega said. 

De Lima is a former senator and justice secretary who was jailed for most of the Duterte presidency but was eventually cleared of all drug charges. She is a nominee of Mamamayamng Liberal (ML) Party-list.

Diokno, on the other hand, is a seasoned human rights lawyer and legal educator, known for his decades-long advocacy through the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG). He is an Akbayan Party-list nominee.

“They are considered legal heavyweights, kaya masuwerte tayo at naging bahagi sila ng House of Representatives,” Ortega, a deputy majority leader, added.

“Hindi lang basta nadagdagan ang team: nadagdagan tayo ng dalawang boses na matagal nang lumalaban para sa human rights at rule of law (It's not just about adding to the team; we've gained two voices that have long fought for human rights and the rule of law)," he underscored.

No less than House Speaker Martin Romualdez invited De Lima and Diokno to join the prosecution team against Vice President Duterte, who was impeached on charges stemming from issues related to confidential funds and constitutional accountability, among others.

This, after some of the original 11 solon-prosecutors didn't win in their reelection bids in the May 12 mid-term polls.

The original prosecution panel was composed of 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.

The significance of De Lima’s inclusion to the team wasn't lost on Adiong. “Her inclusion is more than strategic; it is poetic. It tells us that the advance of justice, may be delayed, but never denied,” he noted.

As for Diokno, Adiong said he liked the lawyer's no-nonsense nature and proven commitment to justice.

“Rep. Chel Diokno has spent decades defending rights, educating lawyers and upholding the Constitution. His presence assures the public that this trial is about truth, not theatrics, not power plays,” Adiong explained.

"We see the convergence of moral clarity and legal precision in our pursuit of conviction. Their presence brings not only valuable expertise but also a profound human rights perspective that elevates the quality of the entire proceeding,” he added.

Adiong further described them as "two of the most respected legal minds of our generation".