House impeachment secretariat getting ready for trial; private lawyers, volunteers present

TWO leaders of the Young Guns of the House of Representatives on Thursday confirmed that the House impeachment secretariat recently held a meeting to discuss preparations for the impeachment trial of impeached Vice President Sara Duterte, with several private lawyers and volunteer groups expressing interest in joining the process.

Deputy Majority Leader and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V confirmed that the meeting took place, with key members of the impeachment team and secretariat present.

“There was a meeting yesterday (Wednesday) sa secretariat. Meron kasing mga prosecutors tapos meron ding mga volunteer lawyers who would want to be part of the impeachment process,” he said.

Manila Rep. Ernix Dionisio also shared details about the gathering, stating that the meeting included various legal professionals.

“As far as we know, iba-iba sila eh. Actually, may mga kilala, mayroon mga less popular, but there were familiar faces that I saw dun sa lugar,” Dionisio added.

Ortega clarified that while the meeting was primarily for familiarization, it also served as an opportunity for potential legal volunteers to introduce themselves.

“Nothing too formal. More on, ‘yun nga, sabi ni Cong. Ernix, meron ‘yung mga nagvovolunteer. Pero basically, in-house pa rin naman tayo, tayo-tayo lang din yung mga nandoon,” he said.

The House prosecution team continues to prepare for the impeachment trial, ensuring that all necessary legal strategies and evidence are in place once the Senate convenes as an impeachment court.

Ortega emphasized that they are readying for all possible scenarios, including a fast-tracked trial or proceedings set for June.

“Reasonable in a way pero still preparing. Wala namang masama kung naghahanda po tayo for any scenario na puwedeng ma-fast track or sa June. Wala po tayong kontrol sa puwedeng mangyari so might as well be ready,” he said.

Ortega further noted that Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez briefly attended the meeting to express support for the impeachment efforts.

“Dumaan din si Speaker syempre show of support na kasi may decision na nga ‘tong House. So dumaan lang siya saglit, siguro parang words of encouragement na this is the road we are going into,” he said.

When asked about Speaker Romualdez’s message to the prosecution team, Ortega said, “We have to stay true to what we voted upon.”

“Hindi naman po sa pagboto lang po, syempre may kanya-kanyang prinsipyo po ang mga congressman and woman natin. And he assured na kung ano man ‘yung mga desisyon, at saka ‘yung supermajority po kasi yung lumabas na boto, they will have the support of the Speaker.”

Dionisio added that the presence of private lawyers at the meeting signals potential collaboration in the trial.

“Magkakaroon po,” he confirmed, referring to the enlistment of private prosecutors.

“May mga ibang representative pero hindi ko kabisado kung anong law firm. Pero parang ano lang, paramdam siguro, interesado lang sila pero nothing concrete pa at this point as far as I know,” Dionisio said.

Ortega clarified that it is common for private lawyers to assist in impeachment cases.

“May possibility na ganon pero ginagawa naman po talaga siya pag impeachment. Allowed naman,” he said.

Regarding the composition of the prosecution team, Ortega admitted that not all members were present during the meeting due to ongoing election-related commitments.

“Yung iba out of the country, yung iba nangangampanya,” he said.

Ortega further noted that some volunteers have already expressed interest in assisting the impeachment team.

“Hindi mo naman masabi, more on signified (that they are) very interested,” he said, referring to lawyers and legal experts who may join the proceedings.