Prosecution team seeks prayers, support ahead of VP impeachment trial

MANILA, Philippines — Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro believes that prayers from the clergy and the faithful will overpower any insufficiency or imperfection of the prosecution team in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment proceedings, as she asked for prayers days before the formal start of the trial.

During a mass at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Quezon City, Luistro, along with other members of the prosecution team — was given a chance to address church-goers and priests from the Diocese of Cubao and the Clergy for Good Governance group.

According to Luistro, the lead public prosecutor, it is not easy to stand before the impeachment court, but there is honor in standing up for accountability — and prayers from the faithful amplify it.

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“It is not easy to be at the center of different opinions regarding the impeachment process. Nevertheless, we believe that there is honor to be at the forefront of this accountability mechanism, there is glory in defending the interest of the Filipino people.  And there’s fulfillment to be at the forefront in upholding what the Constitution mandates,” Luistro said.

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“We acknowledge our limitations, we acknowledge our imperfections, we acknowledge all our insufficiencies.  But let me tell you, my dear brothers and sisters, all your prayers overpower them; all your support overpower them.  Ultimately, everybody’s love for the Philippine nation overpower whatever the prosecution team lacks,” she added.

Luistro enjoined the mass-goers to continue praying for them, and for Vice President Duterte’s conviction.

“To Father Robert Reyes, to all the priests who are here, to all our fellow Filipinos, please walk with us, please join us, please be with us until the conclusion of this impeachment trial,” she said.

“My mother said that when we are praying, we have to be clear.  We have to be specific.  And we have to be strong.  Join us as we pray for the conviction of the respondent in this impeachment trial,” she also said.

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But the lawmaker said that prayers must not only be extended to them, but to the defense team as well and the entire Filipino nation.

“And that is why we would like to thank and request let us pray harder.  Let us pray hardest, not only for the House prosecutors, not only for the private prosecutors — our beloved priests’ prayers are correct — let us pray even for the defense team.”

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“Let us pray even for the senator-judges.  Let us pray for the entire Philippine nation.  Our resolve stems from our belief that Filipinos deserve better leaders, Filipinos deserve a better nation, Filipinos deserve a better republic.”

Aside from Luistro, other members of the prosecution panel are present during the mass, including Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, Manila Rep. Joel Chua, San Juan Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora, Iloilo Rep. Lorenz Defensor, Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao, and private prosecutors Lorna Kapunan and Marforth Fua.

After Luistro delivered her messager, the prosecution panel members were blessed by the priests.

During the homily of the mass, Monsignor Melchor David said it would not be a stretch if he would say that the prosecution, being tasked to present evidence against Duterte, will be the voice of God that will urge the “Filipino people to rise up and walk” — in reference to Thursday’s gospel.

According to David, the prosecutors should remain courageous in the face of hardships brought by their role, as their actions will be crucial in moving the country past its dark period.

Last May 11, Duterte was impeached for a second time after 257 House lawmakers voted in favor of adopting House Resolution (HR) No. 989 which contains the Articles of Impeachment.

Only 25 members voted against it, while nine abstained.

READ: Senate impeachment court OKs 92 trial days, 17 shared witnesses

The trial begins on July 6 at 2 p.m. /gsg

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