THE House of Representatives has named 11 congressmen to serve as prosecutors in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
The designated prosecutors are: Batangas Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” R. Luistro, Antipolo City Rep. Romeo Acop, 1Rider party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez, Manila Rep. Joel Chua, Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Jil Bongalon, General Santos City Rep. Loreto Acharon, House minority leader Marcelino Libanan, Oriental Mindoro Rep. Arnan C. Panaligan, San Juan City Rep. Ysabel Maria J. Zamora, Iloilo Rep. Lorenz R. Defensor, and Bukidnon Rep. Jonathan Keith T. Flores.
These lawmakers, all lawyers, will present evidence in the impeachment trial against the Vice President, based on the charges filed by 215 congressmen. Duterte is the third impeachable official and the first Vice President to be impeached by the House since 2000.
Former president Joseph “Erap” Estrada was impeached in 2000, but the Senate trial was cut short when he resigned before a decision was reached. In 2012, former Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona was impeached and found guilty by the Senate, leading to his removal from office.
Under the impeachment process, a two-thirds vote in the Senate (16 out of 24 senators) is required to convict an impeachable official.
House Secretary General Reginald Velasco has delivered the article of impeachment to the Senate.
“This is about upholding the Constitution and ensuring that no public official, regardless of their position, is above the law,” said House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
The impeachment complaint against Duterte was filed by 215 congressmen, led by Ilocos Rep. Sandro Marcos, son of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
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