Luistro: Impeach raps vs VP Sara Duterte can be decided within 2 months

The House committee on justice can finish its deliberations and decide on the merits of the two impeachment complaints lodged Vice President Sara Duterte within two months from the start of the trial proper.

Luistro made the statement in a Super Radyo DZBB interview, saying the trial proper will begin once the following conditions are met:

• the Vice President files her answer to the complaints within the non-extendible period of 10 calendar days from the serving of Notice to Respondent dated March 5,
• the complainants file their response within three days from receipt of the Vice President’s answer, and
• the Vice President files her rejoinder to the complainants' response within three days after receipt.

The impeachment complaints mainly accuse the Vice President of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, among others, over the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential funds, and threat to kill President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and his immediate family.

“These are called responsive pleadings because parties are responding to each other. Once all responsive pleadings are all in, that is the time we determine if there are sufficient grounds to support the impeachment complaints. If the committee finds sufficient grounds, that’s the time we go to the hearing proper. This is where we invite the complainants to testify and respondent [to defend herself] if she wishes to come. At this stage, the committee will also have the compulsory power, meaning the issuance of subpoena for documents and witnesses,” Luistro said.

“I intend to continue the proceedings of the Justice Committee during recess because it causes divisiveness, factions in the government offices, and for the Filipino people whose lives are somehow disrupted because of this. The way I see it, with the three allegations, I think for a month, in a span of two months, perhaps kakayanin naman ito. Kakayanin,” she added.

(I see the committee being capable of finishing this within two months.)

After the hearing proper, Luistro said the House justice panel will then vote if there is probable cause to impeach the Vice President.

If the committee finds probable cause, it will be reported to the plenary for the members to vote.

At least one-third of the House members or 105 votes would be needed to impeach the Vice President.

Luistro said the Vice President has the option to come, but cannot be compelled to do so. 

“If she doesn’t [come], it will just be interpreted as a waiver of her right to be present during the hearing," she said. 

Congress will go on recess starting March 18 for Holy Week and reconvene on May 4, before adjourning sine die on June 5.

Following the adjournment, lawmakers will return on July 27 for the opening of the Second Regular Session of the 20th Congress and President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s fifth State of the Nation Address. —AOL, GMA Integrated News