House names Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro as lead prosecutor in VP Sara Duterte's impeachment case

The House prosecution panel has formally entered its appearance before the Senate Impeachment Court on Monday (May 18, 2026).

According to a report of the Philippine News Agency (PNA), this follows the senators taking their oaths and the formal convening of the impeachment tribunal for the trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

The PNA report said House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil personally filed the "Formal Entry of Appearance" before the Senate Impeachment Court on behalf of the 11 prosecutors elected by the chamber.

The "Formal Entry or Appearance" or pleading named House Committee on Justice Chair and Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro as lead public prosecutor.

Aside from Luistro, the 10 other Representatives who signed the "Formal Entry of Appearance" included:

- Terry Ridon (Bicol Saro Party-list)

- Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez (1-Rider Party-list)

- Ysabel Maria Zamora (San Juan City)

- Lorenz Defensor (Iloilo 3rd District)

- Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno (Akbayan Party-list)

- Leila de Lima (Mamamayang Liberal Party-list)

- Arlene “Kaka” Bag-ao (Dinagat Islands)

- Jonathan Keith Flores (Bukidnon 2nd District)

- Lordan Suan (Cagayan de Oro 1st District)

- Joel Chua (Manila 3rd District)

“The undersigned members of the House of Representatives, duly elected by the House of Representatives as members of the prosecution panel, respectfully enter their appearance as Public Prosecutors,” the three-page pleading stated.

“It is, thus, respectfully requested that, henceforth, all copies of all pleadings, resolutions, decisions, notices, and other processes of this Honorable Court be furnished to the Lead Public Prosecutor, Representative Gerville R. Luistro,” the lawmakers said in the document.

Through this document, the House of Representatives formally signals its readiness to proceed with the impeachment trial.

Following a vote of 257-25, with nine abstentions, the House has voted to impeach Duterte and transmit the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate.

The Articles of Impeachment cite several allegations, including the misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, and bribery. Additionally, the filings address reported threats made against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.

-Paraluman News