Speaker hails their legal expertise, commitment to justice

The first nominees of Akbayan and Mamamayang Liberal party-lists—Chel Diokno and Leila de Lima—are set to join the House prosecution panel in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

This as only eight out of the 11 members of the prosecution panel are likely to make it to the 20th Congress, after Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Jil Bongalon conceded in the Albay 1st District congressional race and General Santos City Rep. Loreto Acharon lost in his re-election bid. 

“The House Speaker has invited me to serve on the prosecution panel for the upcoming impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte. I have accepted,” De Lima said in a statement.

“My decision comes from a place of duty and principle. I have always stood for truth, accountability, and the rule of law—across different administrations, regardless of political affiliation. That commitment remains unchanged.”

“This is not about personalities or partisan politics. It is about honoring the public trust and the responsibilities that come with it. My participation is one part of the broader agenda for Justice and Reform—an agenda I intend to pursue fully as I take my place in the House of Representatives,” she added.

De Lima said she believes there is strong evidence against Duterte, particularly on allegations of confidential funds misuse and threatening the life of the President.

In a separate statement, Akbayan said: “As the principal endorser of the first impeachment complaint and after thorough party deliberations, we extend our full support to this historic process of accountability.”

“Incoming Akbayan Representative Atty. Chel Diokno will join the House prosecution panel,” the group added.

The Vice President on Monday said she is ready to face the impeachment trial “head on.”

“I am ready whether it’s the impeachment or the criminal case, I will face them head on,” she said during a press conference on Monday shortly after casting her vote in Davao City.

For his part, Speaker Martin Romualdez hailed De Lima and Diokno’s “unquestioned legal expertise and deep commitment to justice.”

“Former Senator De Lima and Atty. Diokno are two of the most respected legal minds in the country. Their potential inclusion in the prosecution panel would add credibility, balance, and depth to this constitutionally mandated process,” Romualdez said.

“They are not just veteran lawyers—they are public servants with a lifelong record of upholding the rule of law and protecting democratic institutions. Their involvement would be a valuable contribution to ensuring that the proceedings are fair, principled, and rooted in the public interest,” he added.

He said the impeachment trial must rise above politics and personalities, and be carried out with “utmost seriousness and responsibility.”

“This is not about targeting individuals. This is about fulfilling our constitutional duty with integrity. The House is committed to presenting a case based solely on facts, evidence, and the rule of law,” he said.

“The Senate, as the impeachment court, deserves to hear a case presented with competence and credibility. The participation of figures like De Lima and Diokno will help ensure that,” Romualdez added.

House Assistant Majority Leader Jay Khonghun said De Lima and Dioko are “consistent defenders of human rights, and both long-time critics of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal war on drugs—exactly the kind of voices we need to restore accountability.”

“If you think about it, there’s no one more suitable to be part of the prosecution panel. De Lima endured years of unjust detention. Diokno has defended countless victims of abuse. Their presence would send a clear message: the House is serious about this impeachment,” Khonghun said.

As of Wednesday, five senatorial candidates aligned with the Vice President’s camp looked certain to secure seats.

“The chances of her being acquitted have just increased because of the elections,” said Aries Arugay, a visiting senior fellow at Singapore’s ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute.

With a two-thirds majority required for a guilty verdict, Duterte needs nine votes to preserve any hope of a future presidential run.

With three incumbent senators already considered firm allies, there was “a good chance that the vote will be for an acquittal rather than a conviction,” said Froilan Calilung, an assistant political science professor at the University of Santo Tomas.

But the fact that candidates were currently aligned with Duterte was no guarantee of how they would vote at her trial, said Jean Franco, assistant chair of the University of the Philippines’ political science department.

“It would be foolhardy to count on their permanent support,” she warned.

The Senate trial—tentatively set for late July—looks “less predictable now” in the wake of Monday’s election, said Anthony Lawrence Borja, associate professor at De La Salle University’s political science and development studies department.

“Politicians are already looking at 2028 and … how they will be able to solidify their chances by forming alliances, coalitions,” Calilung agreed. “It’s going to be very fluid. I think from here on. Moving forward, a lot of changes could actually happen.” With AFP