Private lawyers join House prosecution team for Sara Duterte's trial

MANILA, Philippines — The House prosecution panel introduced the first batch of private prosecutors and law firms that offered to assist in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

House lead prosecutor and Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro said at a press briefing Thursday, June 11, that while the private prosecutors are expected to provide legal advice and assistance, the House panel will still lead the prosecution in the impeachment trial.

The first batch of private prosecutors are as follows:

From Pecabar Law Firm:

• Marforth Fua, a managing partner for Pecabar Law
• James Bryan Ibrahim Alih, a senior associate for Pecabar Law
• Erwin Matib, a partner for Pecabaw Law
• Justine Anne Lamarca, also a partner

From Kapunan and Castillo Law Offices:

• Lorna Patajo-Kapunan, a senior partner for Kapunan and Castillo Law
• Sonya Margarita Benemerito-Castillo, also a senior partner
• Deanna Melissa Lorenzo-Singian, a partner 
• Lino Chris Kapunan, a partner
• Bettina Zamora, a partner

From SALiGAL Law:

• Amando Virgil D. Ligutan

Public accountability

The private prosecutors said that while their role in the impeachment trial is primarily to support the House prosecution, their participation is also their way of helping hold public officials accountable.

"This is why I have committed my time and my law firm's time to assisting the public prosecutors here in the very worthwhile cause, which is the issue of public accountability," Kapunan said.

Kapunan described her law firm's participation in the 2026 impeachment trial as a "continuation of the crusade" because they also volunteered to help the House prosecution panel in the 2025 impeachment case against Duterte.

"This is not about us, public and private prosecutors. This is all about you. This is all about the country. This is all about the public officials called to task on their accountability to the Constitution and ultimately to the people," Kapunan added.

Kapunan also claimed that the coming days before the impeachment trial will be "difficult" due to the spread of disinformation from Duterte's camp and supporters.

"There will be trolls who will distort the truth, especially those who have pledged alliance to the vice president," Kapunan claimed.

Luistro said the participation of private prosecutors is voluntary or pro bono, meaning their services will be free of charge.

“We are more confident than before because of the presence of the private prosecutors,” Luistro said.

More private prosecutors and law firms are expected to join the House prosecution panel. Luistro said subsequent batches will be named in the following days.

The Senate impeachment court has scheduled the pre-trial conference on June 18 at 9 a.m., with both Duterte’s camp and the House prosecution panel expected to attend.