As two spots open, De Lima, Diokno set to join prosecution in Sara Duterte's trial

MANILA, Philippines — With two House prosecutors losing their reelection bids, some incumbent lawmakers are considering former Sen. Leila de Lima and human rights lawyer Chel Diokno to take their place.

Both are first nominees of party-list groups that won a seat in the 2025 elections and have been actively calling on the Senate to proceed with the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte without delay.

Their response to the call? They're willing and ready to take on the role.

“I would always be willing. As I said, kung anuman role ang pwede sa akin na sa tingin ko kaya ko at gagampanan ko nang katapatan, nang buong katapatan, I will do it,” De Lima told reporters on Wednesday, May 14. 

(I would always be willing. As I said, whatever role I can take on, one that I believe I’m capable of and can fulfill with complete honesty, I will do it.)

In a move that could slightly reshape the composition of the impeachment panel, House Speaker Martin Romualdez welcomed De Lima and Diokno to join the prosecution, calling them “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,” he said in a statement. 

Diokno is the first nominee of Akbayan, which topped the race with 2.75 million votes and secured three House seats. De Lima, meanwhile, is the first nominee of the Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-List, which ranked 14th and won one seat. 

RELATED: Akbayan clinches 3 House seats, tops 2025 party-list race for first time | Party-list shake-up: 48 likely to win one seat, while 17 incumbent may lose

The recently acquitted former senator, who spent most of her term in detention over baseless drug trade charges, called the party-list’s victory “poetic justice” and “vindication.” 

She vowed to serve in the lower chamber as an independent opposition voice and fiscalizer, officially telling the media she has accepted Romualdez’s invitation to join the impeachment panel.

“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,” she said.

“My decision comes from a place of duty and principle. … This is not about personalities or partisan politics. It is about honoring the public trust and the responsibilities that come with it,” she added.

Diokno, on the other hand, said he is very much willing to join the prosecution panel, citing his experience as a private prosecutor during the 2000 impeachment trial of former President Joseph “Erap” Estrada.

“Hindi naman ako nagpupumilit ng serbisyo. Pero willing, willing naman ako na maglingkod as a [prosecutor] and I have had some experience in impeachment cases,” he said in a TeleRadyo interview on May 13. 

(I'm not forcing myself into service, but I am willing, very willing to serve as a prosecutor, and I have had some experience in impeachment cases.)

Akbayan also confirmed his participation in the upcoming trial: “Incoming Akbayan Representative Atty. Chel Diokno will join the House prosecution panel.” 

Romualdez recognized the two not just as veteran lawyers, but as public servants with a “lifelong record of upholding the rule of law and protecting democratic institutions.”

“The Senate, as the impeachment court, deserves to hear a case presented with competence and credibility. The participation of figures like De Lima and Diokno will help ensure that,” he added.

Akbayan was the party-list to endorse the first impeachment complaint filed against Duterte, with De Lima serving as the complainants’ spokesperson.  

“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,” De Lima said.

The House prosecution team originally had 11 members, but with two losing their reelection bids, it's now down to nine. Duterte's pre-trial proceedings are scheduled in June when Congress resumes session, while the actual trial by July with the new senators as judges. 

RELATED: With Sara's trial ahead, 9 House impeachment prosecutors win reelection