A private lawyer working without pay for the prosecution has become a standout figure in the Senate impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, winning open commendation from members of the panel he serves alongside.
Amando Virgil Ligutan, managing partner of the Cebu-based firm SALiGAL Law, has drawn attention for the objections he has raised against Duterte’s defense team. Two members of the prosecution—Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima and Iloilo 3rd district Rep. Lorenz Defensor—have singled him out for his handling of the case.
De Lima, a former senator and Department of Justice secretary, offered her assessment on Tuesday, July 15. “Atty. Amando Virgil Ligutan is doing a superb job of presenting the prosecution’s case under Article IV or the grave threat, and countering the arguments of the defense team,” she said. She described him as skilled, experienced, and no-nonsense, and said she was thankful to have such a lawyer working toward a conviction.
“Dahil sa ipinapakita nyang talas at husay sa paglilitis, naging maganda agad ang simula at ang momentum ng prosecution,” De Lima said, noting that Ligutan had taken on the role pro bono.
Ligutan conducted the direct examination of the prosecution’s first two witnesses, John Mark Calilung and Jeremy Lotoc, both from the National Bureau of Investigation. His work with Calilung last week prompted praise from Defensor, who remarked: “Mabuti rin at mahusay ang mga abogadong humawak nitong trial at itong unang testigo namin.”
“Si Atty. Virgil Ligutan is an excellent trial lawyer. Hats off to Atty. Virgil Ligutan,” Defensor added.
Ligutan’s firm describes him as a “topnotch court litigator who has successfully handled various high-profile civil, criminal, and public interest cases that have gained national attention.” A graduate of the University of the Philippines College of Law, he competed on the UP Law Jessup Team, was part of the squad that won the 2008 National Moot Court Competition on International Humanitarian Law, and represented the Philippines in international moot court competitions in Hong Kong and in Evian-Les-Bains, France.
The prosecution is currently presenting evidence tied to Article IV of the articles of impeachment, which concerns allegations of grave threats and inciting to sedition against the Vice President.
