LEAD impeachment prosecutor and House Committee on Justice Chair Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro of Batangas on Thursday said many veteran trial lawyers and law firms have expressed interest in joining the prosecution team in the trial of Vice President Sara Z. Duterte before the Senate impeachment court.
“Napakahirap talagang mamili sapagkat lahat ng nagpapahayag ng kanilang tulong sa public prosecutors ay talagang mga batikan at magagaling na trial lawyers,” Luistro, a lawyer, told Kongreso Ngayon @ Your Service hosted by Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante and veteran broadcaster Ed Sarto over dzME.
Luistro said the House prosecution panel has already shortlisted some lawyers who may serve as private prosecutors, but discussions are still ongoing because of the large number of lawyers volunteering to help.
“To your question, meron na kaming napiling ilan subalit hindi pa kami tapos sapagkat napakarami pa na dapat naming makonsidera,” Luistro said.
“But of course our intention is to come up only with reasonable number of private prosecutors,” Luistro said.
She said the prosecution panel plans to publicly announce the final lineup once the selection process is completed.
According to Luistro, the panel is considering several factors in choosing the lawyers who will help prosecute the impeachment case, including their litigation background, familiarity with the allegations, and availability throughout the proceedings.
“Definitely, kasama iyan,” she said when asked whether the lawyers’ expertise in the allegations covered by the Articles of Impeachment is being considered.
“Maraming factors ang kinoconsider natin perhaps you can consider also their availability kung kapag nailatag na lahat ng dates ng impeachment court ay ilalatag din natin sa kanila ‘yan if their services will be completely available during those period of time,” Luistro said.
The 11-member prosecution panel is composed of Luistro and Reps. Terry Ridon (Bicol Saro Party-list), Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez (1-Rider Party-list), Ysabel Maria Zamora (San Juan City), Lorenz Defensor (Iloilo 3rd District), Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno (Akbayan Party-list), Leila de Lima (Mamamayang Liberal Party-list), Kaka Bag-ao (Dinagat Islands), Jonathan Keith Flores (Bukidnon 2nd District), Lordan Suan (Cagayan de Oro 1st District), and Joel Chua (Manila 3rd District).
The Senate has already convened itself into an impeachment court following the House’s formal transmittal of the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte.
The Articles of Impeachment accuse Duterte of misusing confidential funds, amassing unexplained wealth, engaging in bribery, and threatening the country’s top officials.
