De Lima's Inclusion in Impeachment Team House Prosecutor Adiong Agree

Описание: Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong has stepped forward to quash any notion of conflict over the inclusion of Representative-elect Leila de Lima in the House prosecution team for Vice President Sara Duterte’s impending Senate impeachment trial. Adiong’s key arguments are:

Adherence to House Rules

Under the Senate and House rules governing impeachment, any member of the incoming 20th Congress may be tapped as a prosecutor. Since de Lima will formally take her seat in July 2025, there is no procedural bar to her participation. “She will be a member of the House of Representatives in the 20th Congress,” Adiong stressed, meaning her appointment is fully compliant with the rules of procedure.

Legal Experience and Non-partisanship

De Lima’s track record—as a former Justice secretary and long-time legislator—brings a depth of constitutional and criminal-law expertise to a case that hinges on allegations of “culpable violation of the Constitution,” betrayal of public trust, graft, corruption, and other high crimes. Moreover, both she and fellow prosecutor-invitee Chel Diokno have publicly affirmed their commitment to a strictly legal and impartial approach, setting aside partisan considerations in favor of “duty and principle”.

Subject-Matter Expertise in Extrajudicial Killings (EJK)

One of the central articles of impeachment accuses Vice President Duterte of involvement in extrajudicial killings of drug suspects. De Lima—who has been one of the most prominent critics of the national anti-narcotics campaign and has firsthand experience litigating human-rights cases—offers specialized insight into EJK jurisprudence and international human-rights norms. Adiong argues this “expertise” is precisely what the prosecution needs to dissect the factual and legal issues surrounding the EJK allegations

What This Means for the Trial
Strengthened Prosecution Team
With two high-profile legal minds (de Lima and Diokno) joining the eleven-member House panel, the prosecution is positioning itself for a rigorous, evidence-driven presentation before the Senate. External counsel from the 2012 Corona impeachment trial has even been floated as further reinforcement.

Political Optics and Backlash

Critics of de Lima’s involvement argue that her vocal opposition to the Duterte clan could taint the trial with political overtones. Supporters, however, counter that high-stakes impeachments demand the best legal talent available, regardless of past political rifts.

Next Steps

The House is expected to finalize its roster of prosecutors in the coming weeks. The Senate trial—which will be presided over by the Senate President—has not yet been scheduled, but procedural preparations are already underway.

In sum, Rep. Adiong’s defense rests on procedural legitimacy, legal acumen, and the strategic value of de Lima’s human-rights expertise—especially around the extrajudicial-killings article. Whether this will translate into courtroom success remains to be seen once the Senate impeachment court convenes.