MANILA, Philippines — As Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial enters a critical phase, one lawyer is increasingly drawing attention inside the Senate impeachment court: Atty. Reynaldo B. Robles, a veteran litigator now serving as one of the private prosecutors assisting the House prosecution panel.
Robles is set to lead the prosecution’s examination of witnesses on Day 20 of the impeachment trial on September 1, as the proceedings focus on allegations involving the use of confidential funds during Duterte’s tenure as Education secretary.
His appearance comes as prosecutors turn their attention to military certifications that were cited by the Department of Education to support the liquidation of P112.5 million in confidential funds in 2023.
Who is Reynaldo Robles?
Robles is the founding and managing partner of Chan Robles & Associates, where he has practiced since 1993.
His legal career spans several areas, including civil and criminal litigation, commercial disputes, labor and employment law, corporate matters, taxation, election law and public-private partnership work. He has also represented clients before various levels of the Philippine judiciary.
Before entering the legal profession, Robles earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, major in Economics, from the University of the Philippines in 1986.
He subsequently obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from Far Eastern University in 1990, graduating cum laude and as class valedictorian.
He also ranked 10th in the 1990 Philippine Bar Examinations.
Robles has also been involved in legal education and legislative work. He previously taught criminal, administrative and election law, as well as special proceedings, at the Far Eastern University Institute of Law.
He has likewise served as a legal and legislative consultant to government officials and lawmakers and chaired technical working groups that assisted Senate committees in drafting legislation. In that capacity, he was involved in work connected with more than 50 bills.
From defending Trillanes to prosecuting in Duterte’s impeachment trial
One of the most notable aspects of Robles’ background is his previous work as legal counsel for former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, a prominent critic of the Duterte family.
According to Philstar, Robles represented Trillanes before the Makati Regional Trial Court when the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte sought to revoke the former senator’s amnesty.
That previous legal connection has now placed Robles in a markedly different position: he is helping the House prosecution team build its case against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Robles volunteered to join the prosecution team alongside several other experienced lawyers.
At the June 29 announcement of the expanded prosecution panel, Robles said they joined because they wanted to contribute to the constitutional accountability process.
The House prosecution panel described the new lawyers as additions intended to strengthen its legal and communications capabilities ahead of the trial.
Why Robles matters on Day 20
Robles’ role is particularly significant as the Senate impeachment court examines Article I, which concerns allegations involving the misuse and misappropriation of confidential funds.
On September 1, the prosecution presented retired AFP Col. Manaros Boransing II as a witness.
The prosecution says Boransing’s testimony concerns activities conducted by the Philippine Army’s 1st Infantry “Tabak” Division, including eight Youth Leadership Summits and 53 Information Education Campaign activities in 2023.
According to reports, the prosecution is seeking to establish whether the military activities cited by DepEd in accounting for its confidential funds actually received financial assistance or monetary rewards from the education department.
A second AFP officer, Col. Magtangol Panopio, is also expected to testify.
The testimony centers on military certifications that were reportedly used by DepEd in responding to Commission on Audit findings concerning its confidential-fund expenditures.
Previous testimony from military officials indicated that their units had issued certifications but were not aware that the documents would subsequently be used by DepEd in connection with the liquidation of confidential funds.
Another key witness is waiting in the wings
The prosecution’s scrutiny of the DepEd confidential funds is not expected to end with the AFP witnesses.
Former DepEd undersecretary and Duterte spokesperson Michael Poa, who is now also part of Duterte’s defense team, is expected to face questions about the military certifications he helped obtain.
Poa is viewed by prosecutors as an important witness because of his involvement in DepEd’s response to the Commission on Audit findings.
His testimony is expected to shed light on who requested the military certifications, why they were obtained and how they were used in connection with the agency’s confidential-fund liquidation.
The original plan also included testimony from former DepEd special disbursing officer Edward Fajarda, but his appearance was postponed after he suffered a stroke. His testimony has been reset for September 7, according to Inquirer.
A growing prosecution team
Robles is one of several private lawyers recruited to assist the House prosecution panel.
Other recent additions include former Supreme Court spokesperson Theodore “Ted” Te, lawyer Arnold Labay, and lawyer Mae Divinagracia. Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr. was also designated as a private prosecutor in addition to his role as legal spokesperson.
The expanded team brings experience in constitutional law, human rights, criminal and civil litigation, taxation, legislative work and trial advocacy.
The House previously said the additional lawyers were intended to strengthen the prosecution’s ability to present evidence and prepare for the lengthy impeachment proceedings.
What is at stake in Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial?
Duterte faces four Articles of Impeachment.
Among the allegations are the purported misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds involving the Office of the Vice President and DepEd, alleged unexplained wealth and SALN-related violations, alleged bribery and procurement irregularities, and alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
The Senate is sitting as an impeachment court, and conviction requires the votes of at least two-thirds of all senator-judges.
If convicted, Duterte could be removed from office and permanently disqualified from holding public office.
For now, however, the allegations remain allegations. The impeachment court must weigh the evidence and testimony presented by both sides before reaching any judgment.
And as the trial moves deeper into the confidential-fund controversy, Robles is poised to become one of the prosecution’s more visible courtroom figures.
The bigger question now is what the AFP witnesses will reveal—and whether their testimony will strengthen or weaken the prosecution’s case over the P112.5-million DepEd confidential funds.
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