MANILA – Akbayan Party-list first nominee Atty. Chel Diokno said he was open to become a part of the House of Representatives prosecution panel in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Diokno is a veteran human rights lawyer, who has previously called for the immediate start of the impeachment trial, in accordance with the 1987 Constitution.  

With Akbayan still leading the party-list race based on the partial and unofficial results, the group is poised to win three seats in the lower house.

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“Hindi naman ako nagpupumilit ng serbisyo. Pero willing, willing naman ako na maglingkod as a prosecution [panel member] and I have had some experience in impeachment cases,” he said in an interview on Teleradyo Serbisyo on Tuesday.

Diokno was a private prosecutor in the impeachment trial of then President Joseph Estrada in late 2000.

Following the 2025 midterm elections, Diokno said Senate should proceed with the impeachment trial of Duterte.

“Nakasulat na sa bato ‘yan eh, dahil na-impeach na si Vice President Sara [Duterte] ng House of Representatives. Ang nasa Konstitusyon natin is talagang kailangan na ituloy ‘yung paglitis ng kaso niya są Senado,” he said. 

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"Sa tingin ko kung maayos 'yung rules ng impeachment trial, madaling matatapos 'yun eh. Kung gagawan nila halimbawa 'yung ginagawa ng mga korte ngayon ay 'yung direct examination ng witness ay judicial affidavit, hindi na kailangan ng mahabang testimonya pag naupo yung testigo diretso na sa cross-examination yun," Diokno said. 

Eight out of the 11 members of the House prosecution panel are likely to make it to the 20th Congress.  

Among them are Antipolo 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop, Oriental Mindoro 1st District Rep. Arnan Panaligan, Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua, San Juan Rep. Ysabel Zamora, Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro, Iloilo 3rd District Rep. Lorenz Defensor, Bukidnon 2nd District Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino Libanan, who is also lead prosecutor.

1-Rider Party-list and first nominee Rodge Gutierrez still has a chance to return to the lower house, as his group is ranked 28th in the partial, unofficial count.  

Those who failed to secure a victory are Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Jil Bongalon who conceded in the Albay 1st District congressional race and General Santos City Rep. Loreto Acharon in his re-election bid.