BATANGAS Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro on Thursday said the House of Representatives under the leadership of Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III is prepared to strengthen its legal team, including the possible engagement of seasoned private litigators, if the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte reaches the Senate, noting that a full trial setting calls for a specialized combination of legislative experience and active courtroom expertise to effectively present the case.
“So I wish to confirm na kung matutuloy man tayo to be one of the panel of prosecutors, I will really recommend that we engage private prosecutors to help and aid the members of the House who will be joining the panel of prosecutors,” Luistro, who chairs the House Committee on Justice, said when asked in a radio interview over dzMM if private prosecutors will be tapped.
“Definitely. As a matter of fact, itong mga kasama nating lawyers and even myself dito sa House of Representatives, hindi na kami updated about litigation. What will happen in the Senate is trial,” Luistro said.
She noted that the defense team they would face would likely be made up of real litigation specialists, making outside support both practical and, in her view, necessary.
“Tapos yung makakalaban namin ng defense team, sila mga litigation lawyers talaga. Although under the rules, hindi naman ipinagbabawal kumuha ng private prosecutor,” Luistro said.
Luistro also explained the formal structure of the prosecution side, saying the rules specify 11 public prosecutors, while leaving the matter of private lawyers more open.
“Under the rules, we should be 11 public prosecutors. Pero parang wala namang prohibition if we want to consider a bigger number,” Luistro said.
“About the private prosecutor, the rule is silent. So I guess it will depend on us and on the private lawyers who are willing to help the House of Representatives in the prosecution of this impeachment case,” Luistro added.
She said the House prosecutors would themselves be elected in plenary, much like other internal House positions.
“They will be elected. They will be elected in the plenary,” Luistro said.
“Parang nag-eelect ng committee chair, committee members. So this panel of prosecutors will be elected also in the plenary. Kung sino man itong 11 House members na ito who will be joining the panel of prosecutors by election,” Luistro added.
Luistro clarified that becoming a House prosecutor is not automatic and said she has not yet fully decided whether she would want to serve in that role if the case reaches the Senate.
“Hindi automatic ‘yan. It is by way of election of the Plenary that the members become prosecutors,” Luistro said.
“As to whether or not I am willing to join the prosecution panel, hindi ko pa pinag-iisipan ‘yan,” Luistro added.
She said her immediate focus remains on wrapping up the committee’s work and defending its findings before the full House, where she expects a hard fight once the articles reach plenary.
“Ang tinututukan ko is my duty to be able to conclude it in the Justice Committee and to defend it in the plenary,” Luistro said.
“Medyo mabigat pa ang paparating na trabaho which is the approval of the committee report, the articles of impeachment. At pagdating dito siyempre sa floor, sa plenary, I’m anticipating a heated debate dito before we finally vote on whether to transmit or not these articles of impeachment,” Luistro added.
