De Lima on joining prosecution team vs VP Sara: 'Sa tingin ko makakatulong ako'

MANILA — Former senator Leila de Lima said Wednesday she accepted the offer to join the House of Representatives' prosecution team against Vice President Sara Duterte because she believes she can contribute to her "successful prosecution."

De Lima, who is now the first nominee of the Mamamayang Liberal (ML) party list, said she can also use her experience as a senator and secretary of  justice in achieving their preferred outcome of the trial.

READ: De Lima, Diokno joining prosecutors in Sara Duterte impeachment trial

"Ngayong hapon, nakatanggap ako ng tawag. I accepted it kasi sa tingin ko makakatulong naman ako, makaka-contribute ako dyan sa successful prosecution of VP Sara kapag humarap na siya sa impeachment trial ng Senado," De Lima said in an interview with TeleRadyo Serbisyo's Johnson Ikwento Mo.

"Alam niyo naman na naging spokesperson ako ng first group of impeachment complainants... lagi ko naman pinaninindigan 'yung rule of law tungkol sa katotohanan, hustisya, pananagutan. Nakita ko na malakas ang  ebidensya at may basehan sa impeachment kay VP Sara na aasa ang prosecution na hahantong sa kaniyang conviction," she added.

When asked if she has any clue on who else would be part of the prosecution team, she said it is still up for finalization.

"Sa ngayon, ang alam ko inannounce na rin ng Akbayan na tinanggap na rin ni Atty. Chel Diokno. And then 'yung dati I think mayroon na rin silang inannounce na members of the prosecution panel. Pero syempre ipa-finalize 'yung listahan ng buong prosecution panel," she said.

In a separate interview, Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua said he's a part of the 11-member prosecution team and described De Lima and Diokno's inclusion as a "big deal."

"Malaking bagay po 'yan sa prosecution team, considering 'yung kaniyang credentials, 'yung kaniyang kaalaman, lalong-lalo na sa legal practice. Alam naman natin na isang mahusay na abogado ang dating Justice secretary (De Lima)," Chua said in an interview with TeleRadyo Serbisyo's Johnson Ikwento Mo.

When asked on what the criteria is or are in choosing which lawmakers would make the prosecution team, Chua said the House leadership was the one who decided.

"Ang namilli nito ay ang House leadership... at ito ay idudulog sa plenaryo para aprubahan ng lahat ng mga kongresista," he said.

However, Chua said De Lima and Diokno — if approved by the plenary to be part of the prosecution team — will only be able to officially join the team at the start of the 20th Congress and not on June 2 when Congress resumes its sessions.