House forms Impeachment Secretariat for prosecutors in VP Sara trial

By Filane Mikee Cervantes, Philippine News Agency

FILE: IMPEACHMENT DOCUMENTS. Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. (left) receives the documents containing the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte from House of Representatives Secretary General Reginald Velasco on Feb. 5, 2025. Velasco on Friday (Feb. 28, 2025) said the House of Representatives has established an Impeachment Secretariat to provide technical and administrative support for public prosecutors in the impeachment trial of the Vice President. (Senate Pool Photo via PNA)

MANILA – The House of Representatives has established an Impeachment Secretariat to provide technical and administrative support for public prosecutors in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

House Secretary General Reginald Velasco issued Memorandum Order 19-1006 on the creation of the Impeachment Secretariat, saying it would ensure an efficient trial process.

“The House Secretariat plays a vital role in ensuring the orderly conduct of legislative proceedings, including impeachment trials. This directive ensures that the prosecution team has access to essential logistical, research, and documentation support to facilitate a smooth and efficient trial process,” Velasco said in a statement on Friday.

The Impeachment Secretariat will include personnel from key House departments, such as the Office of the Secretary General, Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms, Legislative Operations Department, and Legal Affairs Department.

Their responsibilities will cover plenary support, legal research, records management, stenographic transcription, information technology, security, and administrative coordination.

Velasco said personnel assigned to the secretariat would adhere to strict House rules and ethical guidelines.

“This is a routine function aligned with our constitutional duty. The House Secretariat remains neutral and professional in fulfilling its mandate,” he said.

To ensure accountability, assigned personnel will record their attendance through the HousePass monitoring system, with schedules managed by their respective offices.

“As the impeachment process moves forward, the Impeachment Secretariat will continue to provide the necessary support to uphold the integrity of the proceedings,” Velasco said.