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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Solon-prosectors unafraid of political consequences as they go up against VP Sara

Solon-prosectors unafraid of political consequences as they go up against VP Sara

Published May 19, 2026 07:24 pm

At A Glance

  • Members of the House prosecution panel say they are not afraid of political consequences in pursuing Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment, stressing their constitutional duty to present evidence.
  • Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora and panel head Rep. Gerville Luistro emphasize that their role is to show the evidence and fulfill their mandate, regardless of public sentiment or electoral impact.
  • Rep. Leila de Lima underscores that the impeachment trial is Duterte's chance to answer allegations, stating that if there is no wrongdoing, nothing should be avoided, covered up, or obstructed.
Vice President Sara Duterte (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)
Vice President Sara Duterte (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)


The congressmen who are part of the House prosecution panel in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment case aren't afraid of the possible political consequences of their actions, particularly once the 2028 polls take place.
In their first public appearance as a group on Tuesday, May 19, the solon-prosectors were asked in a press conference whether or not they were concerned with the potential effect that prosecuting Duterte would have on their chances in the next elections.
“Hindi po kami nababahala (We aren't concerned),” declared San Juan City lone district Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora, one of the youngest prosecutors on the 11-member panel.
“We are fulfilling our constitutional duty as House prosecutors, as congressmen, as representatives of our constituents," the lawyer-legislator said of their task.
"And lahat po kami ay nandito para lang ipakita ang ebidensiya laban sa Bise Presidente na nakita naming may pagkakasala. Kayo nga po naglabas po tayo ng articles of impeachment,” Zamora said.
(And all of us are here only to present the evidence against the Vice President, whom we have found to be guilty. That is why we released the articles of impeachment.)
She added that they were not afraid of any adverse sentiments they may have to deal with in the next elections.
“Hindi po kami natatakot sa susunond na eleksiyon dahil naniniwala po kami na makikita ng taong bayan ang ebidensiya (We are not afraid of the coming election because we believe the people will see the evidence) and we believe that senators themselves will see the evidence and it is now incumbent upon the senators to fulfill their constitutional duty as well,” she stressed.
Batangas 2nd district Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro, who heads the prosecution panel, echoed Zamora’s remarks during the same presser.
“We are free to elect our leaders. But please understand the 11 prosecutors, we are simply responding to a constitutional duty," she said.
"As a matter of fact, with all due respect to our constituents, this is not a question of, natutuwa ba sila o hindi, gusto ba nila o hindi (whether they are happy with it or not, whether they like it or not). This is a duty we really have to face,” Luistro underscored.
Despite being impeached twice by the House in as many years, Duterte remains a popular figure who holds sway in the Visayas and Mindanao. She had earlier declared her intention to run for the presidency in 2028.
'This is her chance'
Putting things into perspective, another solon-prosector in Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima says the impeachment upcoming trial is the proper venue for the respondent to finally answer the allegations being hurled at her.
If she has truly done no wrong, that is.
“It’s time for her to face and answer the accusations against her,” De Lima, a former senator and Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary, said.
“Kung walang kasalanan, dapat walang iniiwasan o walang dapat iwasan. Wala rin dapat pagtatakpan at hindi dapat ito hinaharang,” she said.
(If there is no wrongdoing, then there should be nothing to avoid. There should also be nothing to cover up, and this should not be obstructed.)
“Alalahanin po natin (Let's remember) that this is also due process for VP Sara. So pagkakataon niya ito (So this is her chance),” De Lima further said.

Related Tags

Impeachment Sara Duterte 2028 elections Ysabel Maria Zamora Gerville \"Jinky Bitrics\" Luistro Leila de Lima
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