Lawmakers: Private lawyers want to help in Duterte impeachment trial
Vice President Sara Duterte speaks during a press conference at her office in Manila on December 11, 2024. Philippine lawmakers on February 5 voted to send articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to the Senate, a day before the current congressional session was set to end. (Photo by TED ALJIBE / AFP)
MANILA, Philippines — Several private lawyers are interested in helping in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, lawmakers said on Thursday.
They expressed interest during the House of Representatives impeachment secretariat’s meeting on Wednesday.
Deputy Majority Leader and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V and Manila Rep. Ernesto Dionisio Jr. confirmed and gave details concerning the meeting during a press conference on Thursday.
“There were some prosecutors and volunteer lawyers who wanted to be part of the impeachment process,” Ortega said in Filipino.
Dionisio said the attendance of the private lawyers indicates a possible collaboration in the trial, but he admitted that “nothing is concrete” as of this moment.
Article continues after this advertisementOrtega said private lawyers are allowed to assist in impeachment cases, but he clarified that the meeting was informal, adding that House Speaker Martin Romualdez likewise attended the meeting to back the impeachment efforts.
Article continues after this advertisementHe also said that not all members of the prosecution team were present during the meeting since some were either out of the country or campaigning.
On February 5, the House impeached Duterte.
Before this, three complaints were filed against Duterte in December, alleging that she had misused millions of pesos in confidential funds and “tried to cover up” how the money was spent when pressed to explain.
