MANILA — Two prominent figures in Philippine law and politics—former senator Leila de Lima and human rights lawyer Atty. Chel Diokno—have been named as members of the House of Representatives’ prosecution panel in the impending impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

De Lima, now the first nominee of the Mamamayang Liberal (ML) party-list, confirmed her appointment on Tuesday, saying she received a phone call from House Speaker Martin Romualdez just hours prior.

“Got a call from the Speaker just an hour ago. I answered yes to the suggestion/offer to be part of the prosecution panel,” De Lima said in a message to reporters. “I’ve always believed that public office comes with the duty to uphold accountability, no matter the personalities involved. This is part of my continuing work for justice and reform. I’m here to serve the truth—nothing more, nothing less.”

Meanwhile, Akbayan Party-list announced that their incoming representative, Atty. Chel Diokno, has also accepted an invitation to join the panel.

“Akbayan Party has been invited by the House of Representatives to be part of the House prosecution team in the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, once the Senate convenes as an impeachment court,” the group said in a statement.

“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,” the statement added.

“Buong tapang na tinatanggap ng Akbayan ang bagong kabanata ng laban para sa katarungan at pananagutan,” the statement stressed, underscoring its commitment to justice and democratic values.

Their involvement in the trial against Vice President Duterte signals a high-profile showdown in the Senate once it convenes as an impeachment court. Duterte, daughter of former president Rodrigo Duterte, has faced growing scrutiny over alleged misuse of confidential funds and issues of conduct unbecoming of her office.

De Lima, Diokno to Add Credibility to the Proceedings – Romualdez

In a statement, House Speaker Martin Romualdez said the inclusion of De Lima and Diokno in the prosecution panel against Sara Duterte would add credibility to the process.

“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,” 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.

This will not be the first impeachment trial for either De Lima or Diokno—though both enter the process in new capacities.

Diokno, a longtime advocate for the rule of law and legal reform, served as one of the private prosecutors in the 2000–2001 impeachment trial of then-President Joseph Estrada. He was among those who famously walked out of the courtroom after the Senate voted against opening a controversial envelope, a moment that contributed to the eruption of the second EDSA People Power uprising.

De Lima, on the other hand, took part in the 2012 impeachment of the late Chief Justice Renato Corona. Then serving as Justice Secretary under President Benigno Aquino III, she testified for the prosecution, arguing that the Supreme Court under Corona had shown partiality when it issued a temporary restraining order against the DOJ’s travel ban on former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her husband, Jose Miguel Arroyo.

📷Leila de Lima and Chel Diokno FB