PROFILE: The spokespersons in Sara Duterte's impeachment trial

The Prosecution

Benjamin Tolasa Jr.

Benjamin "Jay" Tolasa Jr. serves as both legal spokesperson and prosecution lawyer for the House prosecution team. 

Lead House Prosecutor Gerville Luistro explained that this role entails speaking on behalf of the prosecution team regarding developments that are happening in the proceedings of the impeachment trial.

On his designation, Tolasa said, "The impeachment is a pivotal constitutional proceeding. In fact, it's one of the most important accountability mechanisms for public officials under the Constitution. So as a trial lawyer, I found it to be a meaningful opportunity to place my experience in the service of that process."

A seasoned litigator, he is the founding and managing partner of Tolosa Javier Lim and Chua law firm and currently heads their Litigation and Dispute Resolution. He has built a reputation for handling complex, high-stakes legal disputes.

Tolosa spent more than a decade representing clients from various industries, including banking, energy, telecommunications, construction, and media. His practice has covered commercial litigation, arbitration, white-collar crimes, government contracts, and corporate disputes.

He has also represented high-ranking government officials, business executives, and multinational companies in cases of national significance.

Among his notable legal work are defending executives of major oil and water utility companies, representing a senatorial candidate before the Senate Electoral Tribunal, securing court injunctions for large corporations, and handling multi-billion-peso disputes involving both government and private entities. 

Zia Alonto Adiong

Zia Alonto Adiong also serves as an additional spokesperson for the House prosecution panel. He is currently the representative of the 1st District of Lanao del Sur, a position he has held since 2022.

Before joining the House of Representatives, Adiong was a member of the Bangsamoro Parliament from 2019 to 2022, where he helped advance regional autonomy and governance in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

In Congress, Adiong serves as vice chairperson of the House Special Committee on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity. He has been vocal on issues involving peace and governance, including condemning inflammatory political rhetoric and calling for responsible leadership.

Adiong has authored and co-authored measures focused on healthcare, regional governance, and public services. Among these are proposals to expand the bed capacity of the Wao District Hospital in Lanao del Sur and establish a Philippine Congress–Bangsamoro Parliament Forum.

Renee Co

Another one of the spokespersons for the House prosecution panel is Renee Co. She was voted as the representative for Kabataan Partylist in 2025.

A lawyer and youth leader, she has been vocal about her advocacy for youth rights, education, and democratic participation.

Co graduated cum laude with a degree in Political Science from the University of the Philippines Diliman in 2018 before earning her law degree from the UP College of Law.

She became a member of the Philippine Bar after passing the 2023 Bar Examinations and was recognized with second place in the Justice Francis Jardeleza Prize for Best Paper on the West Philippine Sea.

Following her election in Congress, Co highlighted that one of her priorities would be a students' rights bill against campus repression, as well as measures against online sexual exploitation of children and for mental health concerns among the youth. 

Robert Ace Barbers

Rep. Robert Ace Barbers has also been chosen as a spokesperson for the panel, in addition to serving as an impeachment trial adviser.

A veteran lawmaker from Surigao del Norte, he has represented the province’s 2nd District for multiple terms and previously served as governor from 2007 to 2010.

Barbers comes from a prominent political family in Surigao del Norte. His father, the late senator and former Interior secretary Robert Barbers, was a longtime figure in Philippine politics. Following in his father’s footsteps, Barbers first entered Congress in 1998, serving as district representative until 2007 before returning to the House in 2016.

During his years in Congress, Barbers has held key positions, including chairperson of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs and the House Committee on Accounts.

He has also been involved in major legislative and congressional inquiries, including investigations into Philippine offshore gaming operators and other issues linked to the previous administration.

The Defense

Michael Wesley Poa

Michael Wesley Poa has been designated as the spokesperson for Duterte's defense team. However, he is not new to this role, as he previously served in the Department of Education as undersecretary, chief of staff, and spokesperson under the vice president from 2022 to 2024.

Apart from this, he was also tapped to be the chief of staff for the Office of Trustees Alejandro Roces, Gregorio Yu, and Alan Luga of the Government Service Insurance System.

As a lawyer, Poa focuses on criminal, civil and commercial litigation, taxation, and special projects.

He received his Juris Doctor degree from UP in 2018, where he graduated ninth in his batch. He became a member of the Philippine Bar in 2019. 

Justin Nicol Gular

Assisting Poa as he faces the media is Justin Nicol Gular, who has been named as the defense team's deputy spokesman.

A senior associate at Fortun Narvasa and Salazar, Gular handles litigation and dispute resolution alongside corporate and commercial matters. His practice also covers corporate rehabilitation, labor law, family and estate law, and projects involving the mining and natural resources sector.

Gular earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology before obtaining his Juris Doctor with a thesis track in International Law Practice from the University of San Carlos.

Among his achievements include beinga three-time grand champion of ANC Square Off: The Firm Debate.

Impeachment court

Reginald Tongol

On the impeachment court's side, lawyer Reginald "Regie" Tongol has been named as the official spokesperson.

Tongo is notable for having previously served as a news anchor of UNTV Channel 37. Currently, he is the managing partner of Regie Tongol Law Office and Public Relations Consultancy, handling corporate, civil, and criminal litigation needs of his clients.

This marks Tongol’s second designation as spokesperson of the impeachment court, having been chosen for the position when Duterte was set to face her first trial during the 19th Congress. The case was later archived by the Senate.