House permits impeachment hearings during recess

The House of Representatives has adopted a resolution giving the go-signal to the committee on justice to continue with the hearings on the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte during recess.

This is to ensure the "prompt and orderly discharge of the constitutional duty of the House to initiate impeachment cases," according to House Resolution No. 982 authored by Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III, Deputy Speaker Sandro Marcos, and Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan.

Congress will go on recess from March 21 to May 3, 2026.

The resolution also authorized the justice panel to implement Section 8 of the Rules of Procedure in Impeachment Proceedings relating to the protection of complainants and witnesses.

Section 8 of the Rules of Procedure in Impeachment Proceedings provides that, "The House may, upon proper petition, provide adequate protection to a complainant or witness if it is shown that the personal safety of the complainant or witness is in jeopardy because of participating in the impeachment proceeding."

"The impeachment proceedings involve testimony and evidence concerning high public officials, and the participation of complainants and witnesses in such proceedings may expose them to threats, intimidation, harassment, or retaliation," the resolution said.

'The implementation of appropriate protective measures is therefore necessary to encourage the truthful disclosure of relevant information and preserve the integrity of impeachment proceedings," it added.

Further, the resolution authorized the justice committee to "receive, evaluate, and act upon petitions for protection filed by complainants or witnesses who demonstrate that their personal safety may be in jeopardy as a result of their participation in impeachment proceedings."

The panel may also determine, recommend, and facilitate appropriate protective measures, including coordination with relevant government agencies such as the Department of Justice, the Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation, and other appropriate authorities, consistent with applicable laws.

It also allows the panel to "adopt confidentiality protocols, and implement other reasonable safeguards when necessary to protect the safety of complainants or witnesses, without prejudice to the constitutional rights of the parties involved in the impeachment proceedings." —LDF, GMA Integrated News