Rowegie Abanto

Impeachment prosecution hears Mass ahead of VP Duterte trial

Article (news)

Vivienne Gulla

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1782974838543HML6bOObIAA8Ql5.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Impeachment prosecution hears Mass ahead of VP Duterte trial. <em>Vivienne Gulla, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span>MANILA — Some members of the prosecution team in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte set to start on July 6 attended a Mass on Thursday with a theme centered on truth, justice and accountability.</div><p>Priests and attendees prayed for the members of the prosecution panel, who attended the Mass at the Chapel of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Cubao, Quezon City.</p><p>Among the House prosecutors in attendance were lead House impeachment prosecutor Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro, Mamamayang Liberal Party-List Rep. Leila de Lima, Iloilo 3rd District Rep. Lorenz Defensor, San Juan City Rep. Ysabel Zamora, and Dinagat islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao. </p><p>Lawyers Lorna Kapunan and Marforth Fua, private prosecutors, also attended the Mass.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/29/defense-prosecution-share-17-witnesses-in-sara-duterte-impeachment-trial-2207">Defense, prosecution share 17 witnesses in Sara Duterte impeachment trial</a></div><p>During the homily, Msgr. Mel David urged prosecutors to take courage as they perform their duties in Duterte&#x27;s impeachment trial.</p><p>&quot;You need wisdom that is not measured by the knowledge you have, but rather by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. You need the strength to carry the burden of the whole Filipino people searching for truth,&quot; David said.</p><p>&quot;The whole Filipino people is looking up to you. Gampanan ninyo nang buong tapang… katapangan na nagmumula sa puso ng ating Panginoon,&quot; he said, also urging senator-judges to &quot;vote for the truth.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/29/explainer-what-happens-during-an-impeachment-trial-1404">EXPLAINER: What happens during an impeachment trial</a></div><p>The articles of impeachment accuse Duterte of misusing confidential funds, amassing questionable wealth, bribery, and grave threats.</p><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display:flex;max-width:550px;width:100%;margin-top:10px;margin-bottom:10px"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-0&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=2072532161270513869&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com%2F%23%2Fworkspace%2Fpersonal%3Fitem%3Durn%3Anewsml%3Aod2-workbench-api.abs-cbn.com%3A2026-07-02T07%3A05%3A05.319679%3A274db405-fe57-4801-bbbd-51a6ded8eb63%26action%3Dedit&amp;sessionId=1fd51fae22c895d9f662c29b217b819538cec4ae&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&amp;width=550px" style="position:static;visibility:visible;width:550px;height:982px;display:block;flex-grow:1" data-tweet-id="2072532161270513869"></iframe></div><script async="" src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8"></script><p>Fr. Joselito Sarabia, who was among the complainants in the third impeachment complaint filed against Duterte before the House of Representatives, said he it would be difficult for senators to acquit the vice president given the evidence presented during hearings at the lower chamber.</p><p>Duterte has denied the allegations and said there is no basis for them. She also called the House hearings to process the impeachment complaints a fishing expedition against her.</p><p>Sarabia, who wore a shirt bearing the words &quot;Convict Sara Now,&quot; said that the Senate itself would be judged at the trial.</p><p>He noted that the proceedings &quot;would heighten the democratic and judicial intelligence of the Filipino people.&quot;</p><p>Luistro meanwhile said that &quot;there is glory in defending the interest of the Filipino people.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Filipinos deserve better leaders. Filipinos deserve a better nation,&quot; she said.</p><p>&quot;Join us as we pray for the conviction of the respondent in this impeachment trial.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/30/senate-very-prepared-for-sara-duterte-impeachment-trial-gatchalian-1445">Senate &#x27;very prepared&#x27; for Sara Duterte impeachment trial on July 6 – Gatchalian</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U8o_2gUoHmg?&amp;pp=ygUYSU1QRUFDSE1FTlQgYWJzIGNibiBuZXdz&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>Some members of the prosecution team in the July 6 impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte attended a Mass on Thursday with a theme centered on truth, justice and accountability.</p>

Some members of the prosecution team in the July 6 impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte attended a Mass on Thursday with a theme centered on truth, justice and accountability.

'We pray for conviction': Impeachment prosecution attends Mass ahead of Sara Duterte trial

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

'We pray for conviction': Impeachment prosecution attends Mass ahead of Sara Duterte trial

Vivienne Gulla,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 02, 2026 03:08 PM PHT

|

Updated July 02, 2026 03:11 PM PHT

Read More:

House of Representatives

Sara Duterte

Sara Duterte Impeachment

Impeachment

Impeachment Trial

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.