The House of Representatives’ Committee on Justice will convene at 10 a.m. today to begin deliberations on four verified impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte, formally initiating the constitutional process to determine whether the cases advance to a Senate trial.
The hearings are scheduled March 2, 3 and 4 at the People’s Center in Congress, according to a Feb. 24 notice issued by committee chairperson Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro.
The agenda is limited to the “initial consideration” of the complaints, specifically the determination of sufficiency in form and substance.
Meanwhile, petitioners of the 2nd impeachment complaint have decided to withdraw their case and instead “lend our support behind the 3rd impeachment complaint containing the same grave allegations and substantial evidence as ours.”
The second complaint, led by Tindig Pilipinas co-convener Kiko Aquino Dee and endorsed by Akbayan Rep. Percival Cendaña and Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, contained five articles of impeachment.
The third complaint, filed by priests, nuns and lawyers and likewise endorsed by De Lima, raised similar allegations over the alleged misuse of about P612 million in confidential funds and claims of corruption within the Department of Education during Duterte’s tenure as secretary.
Luistro earlier said the four complaints would be tackled in one proceeding, with formal consolidation to come later.
“As to the physical consolidation, that will happen only after we have determined the existence of probable cause,” she said.
Under House rules, the committee must first determine sufficiency in form, then sufficiency in substance.
If the complaints pass both criteria, the panel will issue a notice to the Vice President to file her reply within 10 calendar days.
The complainants will have three days to respond, and the respondent will have three days to file a rejoinder.
If sufficient basis is found, the committee shall proceed to hearings where complainants, witnesses, and the Vice President may be invited.
The panel would then vote on probable cause, which requires a majority of all committee members.
If at least one-third of all House members vote to approve the committee report in plenary, the Articles of Impeachment will be transmitted to the Senate for trial.
Luistro said Duterte’s attendance at the hearings is optional and part of due process.
“Her presence in the hearing is part of her right to due process. If she did not appear, it will be interpreted merely as her waiver of her right to be present during the hearing,” she explained.
The Vice President “will definitely be invited,” she added, but appearing remains “her prerogative.”
Luistro said the committee will apply the same procedures and standards used in the previous impeachment proceedings against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., whose two impeachment complaints were dismissed by the panel for insufficiency in substance.
The committee is required to complete its work within 60 session days.
Luistro said the panel may continue hearings even during congressional recess if necessary.
Filed separately by civil society leaders, progressive groups, clergy and members of the legal community, the complaints cited betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, bribery, and other high crimes under Article XI, Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution.
The first complaint, endorsed by the Makabayan bloc and signed by civil society leaders, including former lawmakers France Castro and Neri Colmenares, alleged betrayal of public trust stemming from Duterte’s use of P612.5 million in confidential funds, submission of allegedly fabricated reports to the Commission on Audit and refusal to recognize congressional oversight
The fourth complaint, filed by lawyer Nathaniel Cabrera and endorsed by La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V and Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., zeroed in on alleged omissions in Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, as well as claims of unexplained wealth disproportionate to lawful income.
