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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Superb, excellent': Ligutan shines in impeachment trial, draws praise from solon-prosecutors

'Superb, excellent': Ligutan shines in impeachment trial, draws praise from solon-prosecutors

Published Jul 14, 2026 04:50 pm

At A Glance

  • Prosecutor Amando Virgil Ligutan earned praise from Reps. Leila de Lima and Lorenz Defensor for his sharp objections and skilled handling of the prosecution's case under Article IV.
  • De Lima said Ligutan's performance gave the prosecution a strong start and momentum, while Defensor lauded him as an excellent trial lawyer after his direct examination of the first witnesses.
  • Ligutan, managing partner of SALiGAL Law and a UP Law graduate, continues to lead the prosecution's presentation of evidence on grave threats and inciting to sedition against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Prosecutor Amando Virgil Ligutan (Senate PRIB)
Prosecutor Amando Virgil Ligutan (Senate PRIB)


Amando Virgil Ligutan--the prosecutor who has been keeping the defense of Vice President Sara Duterte in check with his propitious objections--has earned the respect and admiration of his fellow prosecution panel members in the ongoing Senate impeachment trial.
This is not to say that Ligutan didn't enjoy such respect and admiration in the first place, but Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima and Iloilo 3rd district Rep. Lorenz Defensor certainly think Ligutan has proven his worth.
"Atty. Amando Virgil Ligutan is doing a superb job of presenting the prosecution’s case under Article IV or the grave threat, and countering the arguments of the defense team," De Lima said on Tuesday, July 14.
"We can clearly see how skilled, experienced, and no-nonsense a lawyer Atty. Ligutan is," noted the former senator and Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary.
She says she is grateful that a brilliant and dedicated lawyer is on the side of the prosecution, which is trying to secure a conviction on Duterte.
"Dahil sa ipinapakita nyang talas at husay sa paglilitis, naging maganda agad ang simula at ang momentum ng prosecution," De Lima said of the private practioner, who lent his services to the panel pro bono.
(Because of the sharpness and skill he has shown in the trial, the Prosecution immediately gained a strong start and momentum.)
Iloilo 3rd district Rep. Lorenz Defensor (left), Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima (Senate Facebook)
Iloilo 3rd district Rep. Lorenz Defensor (left), Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima (Senate Facebook)
Ligutan, managing partner of Cebu-based SALiGAL Law, has carried out the direct examination on the prosecution’s first two witnesses in the trial--John Mark Calilung and Jeremy Lotoc, both of the NBI.
Last week, after Ligutan presented Calilung to the court, Defensor commented: “Mabuti rin at mahusay ang mga abogadong humawak nitong trial at itong unang testigo namin."
(It is also good that the lawyers handling this trial and our first witness are excellent.)
"Si Atty. Virgil Ligutan is an excellent trial lawyer. Hats off to Atty. Virgil Ligutan,” said Defensor.
The prosecution is knee-deep in its presentation of evidence on Article IV of the articles of impeachment against respondent Vice President Duterte. This covers allegations of grave threats and inciting to sedition.
SALiGAL Law's website describes Ligutan as "a topnotch court litigator who has successfully handled various high- profile civil, criminal, and public interest cases that have gained national attention".
"Ligutan is a graduate of the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law. He was a member of the UP Law Jessup Team, the UP Law Team that won as national champion in the 2008 National Moot Court Competition on International Humanitarian Law, and a member of the Philippine Team that competed in the 7th Asia-Pacific International Moot Court Competition On International Humanitarian Law held in Hong Kong, and in the 2009 Tean Pictet International Humanitarian Law Moot Court Competition held in Evian-Les-Bains, France," it added.

Related Tags

Amando Virgil Ligutan prosecution Impeachment Sara Duterte Leila de Lima Lorenz Defensor
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