Former Senator Leila de Lima speaks at the House of Representatives on October 22, 2024, during the Quad-Committee hearing on extrajudicial killings tied to former president Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

MANILA (3rd UPDATE) — Mamamayang Liberal (ML) party-list first nominee Leila de Lima and incoming Akbayan Representative Atty. Chel Diokno are set to join the House prosecution panel in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

De Lima said she answered "yes" when she received an offer from House Speaker Martin Romualdez to join the prosecutors.  

"The House Speaker has invited me to serve on the prosecution panel for the upcoming impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte. I have accepted," said De Lima in a statement.

"My decision comes from a place of duty and principle. I have always stood for truth, accountability, and the rule of law—across different administrations, regardless of political affiliation. That commitment remains unchanged," she added.

"This is not about personalities or partisan politics. It is about honoring the public trust and the responsibilities that come with it. My participation is one part of the broader agenda for Justice and Reform—an agenda I intend to pursue fully as I take my place in the House of Representatives."

In a separate statement, Akbayan said it has been invited by the House of Representatives to be part of the House prosecution team in the upcoming impeachment trial as well.

"As the principal endorser of the first impeachment complaint and after thorough party deliberations, we extend our full support to this historic process of accountability," Akbayan said.

"Incoming Akbayan Representative Atty. Chel Diokno will join the House prosecution panel," they added. "Buong tapang na tinatanggap ng Akbayan ang bagong kabanata ng laban para sa katarungan at pananagutan."

Akbayan is leading in the party list race, while ML Party List ranked 14th, based on the partial unofficial count from 97.37% of election returns. Once it becomes official, the groups will be entitled to seats at the House of Representatives in the 20th Congress.

'UNQUESTIONED LEGAL EXPERTISE'

Human rights advocate Atty. Chel Diokno greets supporters as he arrives for the filing of the Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance as a representative of the Akbayan Partylist at the Manila Hotel on October 7, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

De Lima said she is convinced there is strong evidence against the Vice President, particularly on allegations of confidential funds misuse and threatening the life of the President. Duterte previously denied those allegations.

"I'm definitely convinced that there is strong evidence… against VP Sara… lalu na 'yung sa usapin ng Confidential and Intelligence Funds. Lalo na also doon sa usapin yung kanyang lantaran na pag-threathen sa buhay ng Pangulo, ng Speaker at ng first lady. That is totally unbecoming of a very high official as the vice president," said De Lima.

In a separate statement, Romualdez said he would welcome the inclusion of De Lima and Akbayan party-list first nominee Chel Diokno in the prosecution panel, given their "unquestioned legal expertise and deep commitment to justice."

"Former Senator De Lima and Atty. Diokno are two of the most respected legal minds in the country. Their potential inclusion in the prosecution panel would add credibility, balance, and depth to this constitutionally mandated process," Speaker Romualdez said.

"They are not just veteran lawyers—they are public servants with a lifelong record of upholding the rule of law and protecting democratic institutions. Their involvement would be a valuable contribution to ensuring that the proceedings are fair, principled, and rooted in the public interest," he added.

Akbayan's Diokno open to join impeach prosecution team vs VP Duterte

Manila City 3rd District Representative Joel Chua, a member of the House prosecution panel, shared this sentiment.

"Talagang maganda rin na makasama namin sila dahil unang una, nakita naman natin, hindi ito mga ordinaryong kongresista… Mga de kampanilyang abogado ito. ‘Yung kanilang karanasan when it comes to legal matters ay talagang mabibigat din naman… may credentials at masasabi natin na talaga namang batak na pagdating sa trial," he said.

The House prosecution is committed to presenting their case against Duterte "based solely on facts, evidence, and the rule of law," according to the House Speaker.

Chua remains confident about getting a conviction in the impeachment trial against the VP, citing "strong evidence" against her, despite the election results showing five candidates endorsed by PDP-Laban and Duterte will be part of the Senate sitting as an impeachment court.

"Ako po ay naniniwala naman ‘yung ating mga magigiting na senador ay gagampanan nila ang kanilang tungkulin base sa ebidensya at hindi dahil sa kanilang partido… Kung very overwhelming, very blatant, very obvious ang ebidensya, wala akong nakikitang dahilan para hindi sila pumabor. Otherwise kailangan nilang ipaliwanag sa taumbayan kung bakit magiging ganoon ang kanilang boto," Chua explained.

Duterte was impeached by the House of Representatives in February for "high crimes" including an alleged assassination plot against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. 

Duterte's impeachment trial is tentatively scheduled to begin on July 30, under the 20th Congress.

With a two-thirds majority required for a guilty verdict, Duterte needs nine votes to preserve any hope of a future presidential run.