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Former SC spokesman Theodore Te
Philstar.com / file photo
MANILA, Philippines — More private lawyers have joined the prosecution team in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, including a former Supreme Court spokesman and another who fought her father in a legal case against former senator Antonio Trillanes IV.
Joining former SC spokesman Theodore Te in the prosecution team of the House of Representatives are Reynaldo Robles, Mae Divinagracia and Arnold Labay.
“It is our privilege to formally introduce the newest members of the private prosecution panel, as well as the panel’s additional spokesperson and impeachment adviser,” Rep. Leila de Lima of the Mamamayang Liberal party-list said.
The team’s legal spokesman, Benjamin Tolosa Jr., has also been designated private prosecutor.
Robles, founding and managing partner of Chan Robles & Associates, is
well-known as a long-time defense attorney for Trillanes, a critic of the Dutertes.
He most notably represented the former senator before the Makati Regional Trial Court when the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte attempted to revoke Trillanes’ amnesty.
“In this impeachment case, we decided to volunteer because we believe we just can’t simply close our eyes to unacceptable developments in the country. No way we should ignore them,” Robles said at a press briefing yesterday.
Divinagracia, managing partner of Co Nazario Velasco-Catera and Divinagracia Law Offices, said she aims to use her litigation experience to present facts objectively before the senator-judges.
Labay, a certified public accountant and senior partner at Chan Robles & Associates, urged Filipinos to remain vigilant against fake news by closely following the proceedings so they can make their own judgment based on evidence presented.
Former Surigao del Norte congressman Robert Ace Barbers was also named spokesman and impeachment advisor.
Tolosa, meanwhile, will serve as both legal spokesman and prosecution lawyer. The other prosecution spokespersons are Reps. Zia Alonto Adiong and Renee Co. — Mark Ernest Villeza
