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Who is Roberto Batungbacal, key lawyer in Duterte impeachment case?

Vice President Sara Duterte's legal team includes prominent attorney Roberto Narvasa Batungbacal, a partner at a leading law firm and descendant of a former Philippine Chief Justice.

LSN Philippines · 22 September 2026

MANILA – Roberto Narvasa Batungbacal has taken a prominent position among Vice President Sara Duterte's defense counsel in the Senate impeachment court proceedings. Batungbacal is a managing partner of Bodota & Batungbacal Law Offices, where he collaborates with fellow defense lawyer Ralph Bodota.

Beyond his current role in the high-profile case, Batungbacal carries significant legal pedigree. He is the grandson of the late former Chief Justice Andres Narvasa, who served as the country's highest judicial officer and left an influential mark on Philippine jurisprudence.

The impeachment trial has drawn considerable public and media attention, with Duterte's legal team assembling seasoned practitioners to defend the Vice President before the Senate. Batungbacal's involvement underscores the gravity of the proceedings and the resources being marshaled for the defense.