New addition to impeachment prosecution team will also be spokesperson

MANILA, Philippines — Lawyer Benjamin Tolosa Jr. will be the new addition to the prosecution team for Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, and he will also serve as the panel’s legal spokesperson, according to Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro.

Luistro, in a press briefing on Monday on the sidelines of the pretrial conference at the Senate, formally introduced Tolosa, the founding and managing partner of the Tolosa Lim and Chua Law Office.

“We would like to introduce, of course, our legal spokesperson, one of the assisting counsels, isa ring abogado de campanilla, Atty. Benjamin Tolosa Jr., as legal spokesperson, will be speaking on behalf of the prosecution team; he can start today with the updates that are happening in the pre-trial conference,” Luistro told reporters.

According to a post on the website of the Tolosa Lim and Chua Law Office, Tolosa has represented companies ranging from banking, energy, telecommunications, petroleum, broadcasting, and construction.

“He has likewise advocated for C-suite executives, industry leaders, and high-ranking government officials, including senators, cabinet members, and local executives, in cases involving a wide array of issues, such as white-collar crimes, plunder, and government contracts. He also has extensive experience in commercial and construction arbitration,” the law firm said.

Tolosa is also a former senior associate of ACCRA Law Offices, and earned his Legal Management degree from the University of Santo Tomas (UST). 

He also earned his Bachelor of Laws from UST and was the recipient of the Outstanding Thomasian award.

Tolosa’s entry into the team makes him the 11th private lawyer tapped by the prosecution team to assist them on a pro bono basis.  Aside from him, the following private lawyers are helping the prosecution team:

Ponce Enrile Cayetano Reyes & Manalastas (Pecabar) Law Offices:

• Marforth Fua
• Erwin Matib
• Justine Anne Lamarca
• James Bryan Ibrahim Alih

Kapunan & Castillo Law Offices:

• Lorna Patajo‑Kapunan
• Sonya Margarita Benemerito‑Castillo
• Deanna Melissa Lorenzo‑Singian
• Lino Chris Kapunan
• Bettina Zamora

SaLiGal Law

• Amando Virgil Ligutan

/gsg /atm