The House of Representatives’ prosecution panel has added a second group of private lawyers to bolster its team in the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.

The panel on Monday introduced four new members who will work alongside public prosecutors: Atty. Theodore Te, Atty. Reynaldo Robles, Atty. Arnold Labay, and Atty. Mae Divinagracia.

He currently serves as interim chairperson of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), the country’s oldest network of human rights lawyers.

His legal work includes litigation before all court levels, including cases involving the death penalty and anti-terrorism laws. He has also represented journalists in libel and cyberlibel cases and advocated for digital rights and free expression.

Robles, a senior lawyer from Chan Robles & Associates, brings extensive litigation experience spanning civil, criminal, labor and commercial law.

He has also worked closely with the legislature, serving as legal counsel and consultant to several lawmakers and helping draft numerous bills, some of which were later enacted into law.

Labay, also from Chan Robles & Associates, is a certified public accountant-lawyer, while Divinagracia of CNDLAW specializes in commercial, civil and criminal litigation, as well as arbitration, labor law, and intra-corporate disputes.

The panel also named former Surigao del Norte governor and lawmaker Robert Ace Barbers as legal spokesperson and impeachment adviser.

In a statement, the House said Barbers’ decades of legislative experience and background in public accountability would help communicate the impeachment process and its significance to the public.

The addition of private lawyers is expected to strengthen the prosecution team as it prepares for trial proceedings in the Senate.