MANILA, Philippines – Ikinatuwa ng isa sa mga tatayong prosecutor sa impeachment trial ni Vice President Sara Duterte sa Senado ang pagtiyak ni Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano na tuloy na ang pag-convene sa Impeachment Court sa Lunes, Mayo 18, 2026.
Sinabi ni House Impeachment Prosecutor Rep. Joel R. Chua na “there appears to be consensus among the new Senate majority that the impeachment trial should finally proceed. That is welcome news to us in the House Prosecution Team. We simply want a fair opportunity to present the Articles of Impeachment, prosecute the case, and allow the evidence to be appreciated by the Impeachment Court.”
Sa ngayon aniya ay patuloy ang paghahanda ng prosecution panel upang anumang oras na pasimulan ang impeachment hearing ay maihain nito sa mga Senator-Judges ang argumento ng prosekusyon kasama ang mga nakuhang private prosecutors at legal experts na kakatulungin ng House Prosecution Team sa aspeto ng constitutional law, auditing, financial forensics, corporate law, at finance.
“We have no reason, at this time, to believe that the impeachment trial will not proceed. With the Senate expected to convene as an Impeachment Court on May 18, we are preparing accordingly and are ready to fulfill our constitutional duty as prosecutors. We believe the senator-judges likewise want the opportunity to hear the side of the twice-impeached Vice President Duterte and to examine the evidence that the House Prosecution Panel will present before the Impeachment Court,” ayon pa kay Chua.
Malaki ang paniwala ni Chua na hindi maglalabas ng temporary restraining order ang Supreme Court upang pigilan ang pagdinig.
“We also note that the Supreme Court has not been inclined to issue TROs in recent related matters. That gives us confidence that the constitutional process is being allowed to move forward. We shall proceed one day at a time, one step at a time. We are preparing the necessary motions. We are studying possible arguments from the defense and preparing corresponding counter-arguments. We are also preparing for possible witnesses and documentary evidence.”
Kasama sa prosecution team sina Justice Committee Chairperson at Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro; Bukidnon 2nd District Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores; San Juan City Rep. Ysabel Zamora; Iloilo 3rd District Rep. Lorenz Defensor; Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua; Mamamayang Liberal Rep. Leila de Lima; Akbayan Partylist Rep. Chel Diokno; Bicol Saro Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon; 1-Rider Partylist Rep. Rodge Gutierrez; Cagayan De Oro 1st District Rep. Lordan Suan at Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao. Meliza Maluntag
