Akbayan Party-list first nominee Atty. Chel Diokno has officially confirmed that he will be part of the House of Representatives’ prosecution panel in the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
In a statement released by Akbayan on May 14, the party declared, “Buong tapang na tinatanggap ng Akbayan ang bagong kabanata ng laban para sa katarungan at pananagutan.” The statement affirms the party’s firm commitment to upholding accountability and justice in government.
A prominent human rights lawyer and known advocate for transparency, Diokno’s involvement signals the party’s intention to ensure that legal and constitutional standards are rigorously applied during the trial.
Adding to the high-profile nature of the prosecution team is former Senator Leila de Lima, now the first nominee of the ML party-list. De Lima confirmed that she will also serve on the House prosecution panel against the Vice President.
In a brief statement, De Lima shared that House Speaker Martin Romualdez personally reached out to her to invite her to join the panel. “Speaker Romualdez called me earlier and asked that I lend my legal experience to the panel. I agreed, as this is a matter of great national interest,” she said.
Both Diokno and De Lima are widely regarded as vocal critics of the Duterte administration. Their participation is expected to bring not only legal expertise but also intense public scrutiny to the trial proceedings.
Vice President Sara Duterte faces impeachment charges allegedly involving abuse of power and failure to properly account for confidential and intelligence funds under her office. The House has yet to finalize the trial schedule, but the formation of the prosecution panel suggests the process is moving forward swiftly.
Political analysts believe the inclusion of Diokno and De Lima will elevate the legal caliber of the proceedings, while also deepening the political stakes. Public interest in the case remains high, with many awaiting how both seasoned legal minds will argue the charges before the Senate, which will sit as the impeachment court.
The coming weeks are expected to be crucial as the House prepares its case, and all eyes now turn to how the Senate will respond once the trial formally begins.