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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider More than perfect: Prosecutor Chua gets '11/10' grade in impeachment trial debut

More than perfect: Prosecutor Chua gets '11/10' grade in impeachment trial debut

Published Jul 29, 2026 06:05 pm

At A Glance

  • Lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro praises Rep. Joel Chua's first direct examination in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial, giving him an "11/10" rating.
  • Chua elicits testimony from two retired Landbank managers on the OVP and DepEd's P612.5 million cash withdrawals and encashments.
  • Lawmakers are commended for adapting to litigation roles, with Majority Leader Sandro Marcos earlier lauding the prosecution team's "brilliant" performance.
Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua (Senate PRIB)
Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua (Senate PRIB)


Manila 3rd district Rep. Joel Chua earned what could be described as a more than perfect score from lead prosecutor Batangas 2nd district Rep. Gerville "Jinky Bitrics" Luistro for his performance Wednesday, July 29 in Vice President Sara Duterte's Senate impeachment trial.
"11/10," Luistro said in a press conference after the hearing Wednesday afternoon, when asked to grade Chua's prosecutorial stint.
"I wish to commend Congressman Joel Chua for having successfully concluded his direct examination to both witnesses," said Luistro, chairperson of the House Committee on Justice.
Serving as the prosecution panel's witnesses on Wednesday for article I covering confidential funds misuse were retired Land Bank of the Philippines (Landbank) Shaw Boulevard branch department manager Violeta Constantino and former Landbank DepEd branch manager Nenita Camposano.
It was the first time for Chua to do a direct examination for the prosecution.
Constantino testified on the four cash withdrawals of P125 million each (P500 million) for the OVP, while Camposano testified on the encashment of three P37.5-million checks (P112.5 million) for DepEd.
The total amont of P612.5 million from these seven transactions represent the confidential funds entrusted to the impeachment trial respondent, Duterte.
Luistro gave context to the adjustment that solon-prosecutors had to go through in order to perform their task in the high-stakes trial.
"You have to understand that we are lawmakers, we are members of the House and it's been quite a while na wala kami sa ligitation (that we have not been engaged in litigation)," she said.
"And yet, these members of the House are showing their courage to once again engage in examination of witnesses," Luistro said.
"And this is only for one thing--dahil sa pagmamahal sa bayan (because of love of country). Congratulations to Congressman Joel Chua," the Batangueña further said.
Chua chairs the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability. The panel carried out an inquiry in aid of legislation on the confidential funds controversy involving Duterte in 2024.
Earlier this week, Majority Leader Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos praised the House prosecution team for their "brilliant" display so far in the impeachment trial.
The House prosecution panel is composed of 11 solon-prosecutors and 15 private prosecutors.

Related Tags

Sara Duterte joel chua Impeachment confidential funds Grade
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