House prosecutor and Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro said Tuesday that a possible resignation by Vice President Sara Duterte would not automatically end her impeachment trial, although she stressed that the position was her personal opinion and had not been taken up by the full prosecution panel.

At a House of Representatives press conference, Luistro said that while resignation would make the issue of removal from office moot, the Senate sitting as an impeachment court could still proceed to determine whether Duterte should face perpetual disqualification from public office.

“While resignation from office will render moot and academic the penalty of removal, it is my position that we need to continue the trial for the senator-judges to be able to determine whether or not they will impose as well the penalty of perpetual disqualification,” Luistro said, adding that this was not yet a collective position of the 11-member House prosecution panel.

Her remarks came amid legal and procedural questions on whether Duterte’s resignation, if it happens, would effectively terminate impeachment proceedings in the Senate.

Furthermore, House prosecutors said they have divided responsibilities among members of the prosecution panel handling the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte.

Each group has been assigned specific allegations, including charges involving threats and destabilization, alleged bribery, unexplained wealth, and the alleged misuse of confidential funds.