Private counsel Ligutan takes lead role in Duterte impeachment prosecution

MANILA — Lawyer Amando Virgil Ligutan is among the private legal practitioners assisting the House prosecution in its impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte. The attorney has taken on significant courtroom responsibilities as the trial progresses.

Since proceedings began, Ligutan has served as the prosecution's lead examiner during direct questioning of key witnesses. His examination included National Bureau of Investigation Regional Director Jeremy Lotoc and Gina Acosta, a former special assistant whose testimony proved contentious.

The inclusion of private counsel in the prosecution panel reflects the high-profile nature of the impeachment proceedings. Such arrangements allow the House to supplement its internal legal resources with experienced trial practitioners for complex cases of constitutional significance.

Ligutan's role underscores the prosecution's strategy to present testimony systematically and challenge witness credibility through rigorous cross-examination. As the trial continues, his performance in the courtroom will remain central to the House's effort to build its case before the Senate.