MANILA – One of the House prosecutors said on Monday the revelation of new dubious names in the supposed list of recipients of confidential funds of Vice President Sara Duterte's offices strengthens the impeachment case.

San Juan Rep. Ysabel Zamora responded to the revelation of the supposed "Team Grocery" by House Deputy Majority Leader La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V on Sunday.

"This will greatly impact our case as in fact, the basis for having Article 2 of the impeachment articles will be proved or we will have a stronger support for Article 2. If you recall, Article 2 is about confidential funds and our allegations under Article 2 is that there were fictitious names, a lot of fictitious names, names which have no basis or records under the PSA, and the forgery of signatures," she told reporters in a phone interview.

"For the prosecution po, we rely on the information, on the evidence that we receive or that we have been receiving from different individuals, different offices… So, mapapalakas ang ebidensya, gaganda ang pag-present ng prosecution pagdating po ng impeachment trial," Zamora added.

Ortega had the same sentiment upon the revelation of what he called "Team Amoy Asim" as supposed recipients of the Department of Education's confidential funds.

Zamora likewise refuted claims of some supporters that confidential funds must have fictitious names.

"Having confidential funds does not automatically allow an official to use fictitious names. The use of fictitious names for confidential funds is not automatically legal as in fact there are guidelines that the officials have to follow," she said.

"For example, we were told that usually the real name of those names, the real name of those hiding under fictitious names are usually given in a sealed envelope," Zamora explained.

IMPEACHMENT PREPS CONTINUE

The lawmaker said preparations of the 11-member House prosecution team are ongoing amid the start of the local campaign season.

"It's going very well. In fact, we've been having meetings, discussions, interviews. We also had a mock trial. So, we've been practicing in case the trial happens anytime soon," Zamora said.

She confirmed that she is part of the "small group" or team that will handle Article One or the alleged threat of the Vice President against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Iloilo Rep. Lorenz Defensor is also among the prosecutors assigned to Article One.

"We will, of course, present witnesses, but if I may say so, I can't discuss yet who our witnesses will be," Zamora said.

"We have testimonial, we have documentary evidence. And it's the mere fact of saying those things that the Vice President is charged under Article 1. So hindi po natin kailangan na mag-witness ang Presidente, ang First Lady, ang House Speaker para mapatunayan na nagkasala ang Vice President under Article 1," she explained.

Batangas District Rep. Gerville Luistro, another House prosecutor, said last week they have been meeting in "small groups" as preparations for the impending impeachment trial are in "full swing."

The 11-member House prosecution team reiterated they are ready in case the impeachment trial begins earlier than the July 30 date proposed by Senate President Francis Escudero.