House justice panel to begin deliberations on impeachment complaints vs VP Sara

The House Committee on Justice will begin deliberations on the four verified impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, March 2.

The panel will convene at 10 a.m., with succeeding hearings scheduled for March 3 and 4.

Committee chair and Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro said the proceedings will be limited to the “initial consideration” of the complaints, particularly their sufficiency in form and substance.

“As to the physical consolidation, that will happen only after we have determined the existence of probable cause,” Luistro said in a statement.

If the complaints are found sufficient in form and substance, the committee will formally notify the Vice President, who will have 10 calendar days to submit her response.

Complainants will have three days to reply, and the respondent will have another three days to file a rejoinder, the panel said.

“If sufficient basis is found, the committee will proceed to hearings where complainants, witnesses, and the Vice President may be invited,” it added.

The panel will then vote on whether there is probable cause, which requires the majority vote of all committee members.

Should at least one-third of House members vote to adopt the committee report in plenary, the Articles of Impeachment will be transmitted to the Senate for trial, the committee explained.

Asked whether Duterte is required to attend the hearings, Luistro said her appearance is optional.

“Her presence in the hearing is part of her right to due process. Kung hindi siya darating sa hearing, it will be interpreted merely as her waiver of her right to be present,” she said, adding that the Vice President “will definitely be invited.”

The committee is required to complete its work within 60 session days, although Luistro said hearings may continue during recess if necessary.

The impeachment complaints, filed by various groups and individuals, accuse Duterte of betrayal of public trust, graft and corruption, misuse of confidential funds, and alleged omissions in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, among others.

Madriaga

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives will coordinate with the courts and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to secure Ramil Madriaga, former aide to Vice President Sara Duterte, should he be invited to testify in the impeachment hearings.

“I think Congress will have to coordinate with the court and the BJMP to ensure Mr. Madriaga’s safety so that, if invited, he can actually attend the proceedings,” said House Committee on Public Accounts chair Terry Ridon.

Ridon, however, noted that Madriaga cannot yet be called to testify, as the House Committee on Justice must first determine the sufficiency in form and substance of the impeachment complaints.

“At this point, siyempre ang kailangan munang ma-surmount ng mga complainants at endorsers ay yung determination of sufficiency in form and substance,” he said.

(At this point, of course, what the complainants and endorsers need to clear first is the determination of sufficiency in form and substance.)—MCG, GMA Integrated News