Two members of the House prosecution panel in the upcoming impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte may be replaced after failing to secure seats in the next Congress.
Partial and unofficial election results show that General Santos Rep. Loreto Acharon is currently in second place in his district’s congressional race, while party-list lawmaker Raul Angelo Bongalon of Ako Bicol has conceded defeat in his campaign for Albay’s 1st District.
Both Acharon and Bongalon are part of the 11-member team formed by the House of Representatives to lead the prosecution in Duterte’s impeachment trial, expected to begin in July when the 20th Congress convenes.
Several other members of the panel have secured new terms, including Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, San Juan Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora, Iloilo Rep. Lorenz Defensor, and Bukidnon Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores. Romeo Acop of Antipolo and Arnan Panaligan of Oriental Mindoro also retained their seats after running unopposed.
In Manila’s 3rd District, Rep. Joel Chua won reelection by a slim margin, despite being challenged by a candidate backed by the vice president.
The prosecution team is led by Rep. Marcelino Libanan, first nominee of the 4Ps party-list group, which is on track to retain a seat after ranking fourth in the party-list vote count.
Another panel member, Rep. Ramon Rodrigo Gutierrez, also ran for reelection under the 1-Rider party-list, which as of Tuesday afternoon placed 28th in the rankings.
The 19th Congress is scheduled to resume session on June 2 and adjourn by June 13. The trial in the Senate is expected to begin shortly after the 20th Congress opens in late July.