Preparations for Sara impeachment like a major court trial – Diokno

Chel Diokno (Photo from the Facebook page of Chel Diokno)

MANILA, Philippines — Preparations for Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial is akin to a major court trial, Akbayan party – list Representative – elect Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno said on Monday.

Diokno earlier revealed that he will join the prosecution team against Duterte in her impeachment trial before the Senate.

READ: Chel Diokno to join prosecution team in Sara Duterte impeachment trial

“An impeachment trial is almost the same as a court trial. The only difference is that the judge is not a lawyer and being a lawyer is not required — and the Filipino people will also be the ones to judge,” Diokno pointed out in a chance interview during the proclamation of winning party-lists in the 2025 elections.

“That’s why we are preparing like how we prepare for a major case,” added Diokno.

He likewise said that he will ensure that the presentation of the testimonies and evidence against Duterte would be done properly.

Diokno said he had already finished studying the articles of impeachment submitted by the House of Representatives to the Senate involving Duterte’s impeachment.

Civilized legal process to find out the truth

Diokno reiterated that an impeachment trial is a “civilized legal process” that exists to help the public find out the truth.

The reason we support the impeachment is, first and foremost, because we want to know the truth; second, we want accountability and justice for the nation,” he said.

Diokno is the first nominee of the Akbayan party-list, which won three seats in the recent midterm elections after topping the party-list race with 2,779,621 votes. /gsg