Who could've thought that the bashing and online attacks being endured by members of the House prosecution panel in Vice President Sara Duterte's upcoming impeachment trial would have a positive effect on them?

According to House Deputy Speaker La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega V, the 11 solon-prosectors are actually getting stronger as a team thanks to this episode of adversity.

Ortega expressed confidence that the prosecutors can handle the challenge of the impeachment trial, especially since they have already worked through months of hearings in the Committee on Justice, as well as criticisms and public attacks that helped build synergy among them.

He says this strengthened working relationship within the team could become important once the trial begins and both sides--the prosecution and the defense--start presenting their case before senator-judges.

"Kung makikita nyo, may certain degree of closeness. Na parang may pagka-family vibes na rin. Kasi nga, siguro pag pare-pareho kayong nahi-hit, o naba-bash o naki-criticize, nagkakaroon ng medyo mas tumitibay na samahan,” Ortega said.

(If you look closely, there’s a certain degree of closeness. It’s almost like family vibes. Maybe because when you’re all being hit, bashed, or criticized together, the bond tends to grow stronger.)

The House prosecution panel is composed of Reps. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro (Batangas 2nd district), Terry Ridon (Bicol Saro Party-list), Rodge Gutierrez (1-Rider Party-list), Ysabel Maria Zamora (San Juan City lone district), Lorenz Defensor (Iloilo 3rd district), Chel Diokno (Akbayan Party-list), Leila de Lima (Mamamayang Liberal Party-list), Arlene Bag-ao (Dinagat Islands lone district), Jonathan Keith Flores (Bukidnon 2nd district), Lordan Suan (Cagayan de Oro City 1st district), and Joel Chua (Manila 3rd district).

Ortega said the fact that a good number of the solon-prosectors this year were also chosen last year or during the first time Vice President Duterte was impeached helped their cause a great deal.

“So may jelling na rin before. Yeah, that helps a lot. Siyempre, team play yan eh. Hindi po basta-bastang task yung gagawin po nila,” Ortega said, as of describing a basketball team that's about to play a championship game.

(So there was already jelling before. Yeah, that helps a lot. Of course, this is team play. The task they will do is not something simple.)

At any rate, the Ilocano said the public prosecutors from the House were preparing for the Senate impeachment trial with a high level of dedication and seriousness.

"I think they’re more than capable, pero kailangan po nila talaga mahanda (but they really need to prepare)."

These preparations include the holding of mock trials and strategy-forming sessions.

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.

Ortega is an endorser of one of the four impeachment complaints filed against Duterte this year.