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Impeachment trial lead prosecutor's request to Pinoys: 'Dasal po tayo'

Published Jul 2, 2026 03:15 pm

At A Glance

  • Lead prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro urges Filipinos to pray and support the prosecution as Vice President Sara Duterte's Senate impeachment trial begins July 6.
  • She says prayers and public support can overcome the panel's shortcomings, stressing Filipinos deserve better leaders and a stronger republic.
  • Duterte faces trial over alleged misuse of confidential funds, false asset declarations, unexplained wealth, and threats against national leaders.
The House prosecution panel gets prayed over during Thursday’s mass (House of Representatives)
The House prosecution panel gets prayed over during Thursday’s mass (House of Representatives)


Lead prosecutor Batangas 2nd district Rep. Gerville "Jinky Bitrics" Luistro has one simple request for Filipinos as Vice President Sara Duterte's Senate impeachment trial is just days away from starting.
“Join us as we pray for the conviction of the respondent in this impeachment trial,” Luistro said told attendees of the Mass for Truth, Justice, and Accountability held on Thursday, July 2 at the Chapel of the Nativity of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Cubao, Quezon City,
“Please walk with us. Please join us. Please be with us until the conclusion of this impeachment trial,” added Luistro.
Despite being initially impeached by the House of Representatives last year during the tail end of the 19th Congress, Duterte would only be formally put on trial by the Senate impeachment court on on Monday, July 6.
Wirh this, the second-Luistro asked Filipinos to stand with the prosecution until the conclusion of the proceedings before the Senate impeachment court.
In her message, the Batangueña acknowledged the prosecution panel’s limitations, and claimed thart the prayers and support of Filipinos would help them see the proceedings through
“We acknowledge our limitations. We acknowledge our imperfections. We acknowledge all our insufficiencies. But let me tell you, my dear brothers and sisters, all your prayers overpower them. All your support overpower them. Ultimately, everybody’s love for the Philippine nation overpower kung ano man ang kulang sa mga prosecutors (whatever the prosecutors' shortcomings are),” she said.
Attending the mass with the lead prosecutor were Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua, Iloilo 3rd district Rep. Lorenz Defensor, Dinagat Islands lone district Rep. Kaka Bag-ao, San Juan City lone district Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora, and private prosecutor Lorna Kapunan.
Luistro also urged Filipinos to pray not only for the House prosecutors but also for the defense panel, the senator-judges, and the entire nation.
“It is because we believe that Filipinos deserve better leaders. Filipinos deserve a better nation. Filipinos deserve a better republic,” said the lawyer-legislator.
The mass was celebrated by Father Bong Sarabia, with Monsignor Mel David of Parañaque City delivering the homily. Concelebrating were Father Niño Etulle, Father Choi Gliponeo, Father Raul “Puti” Enriquez and Father Manoling Francisco.
Organized by the Clergy for Good Governance, the prayer gathering was led by convenor Father Robert Reyes.
Reyes, together with Father Flavie Villanueva, Sarabia and Father Joel Saballa, was among the complainants behind one of the four impeachment complaints filed against Duterte this year.
Their complaint was later consolidated along with another verified complaint into the articles of impeachment approved by the House of Representatives.
The House impeached Duterte for a second time on May 11 after 257 congressmen endorsed the verified complaint that accused her of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and other high crimes.
Vice President Duterte's conviction via impeachment trial is being sought over her offices' alleged misuse of P612.5 million worth of confidential funds; untruthful declarations in the filing of her statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth; unexplained wealth; and death threats to President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez.

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Impeachment Sara Duterte Gerville \\\"Jinky Bitrics\\\" Luistro impeachment trial Pray
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