Luistro: Impeachment allegations vs VP Sara Duterte serious, weighty

The impeachment allegations against Vice President Sara Duterte are serious and demand answer, House committee on justice chairperson Gerville Luistro said Wednesday.

Luistro made the assertion during her opening remarks amid the House justice panel’s deliberations on the sufficiency in grounds of two impeachment complaints leveled against the Vice President.

The discussion on sufficiency in grounds centers on the merit, or lack of, of the Vice President’s response to the impeachment complaints accusing her of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, among others, over the alleged misuse of P612.5 million in confidential fund and threat to kill President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and his family.

“The accusations are not trivial. They are serious. They are weighty. They demand an answer. Kung ganito kabigat ang mga paratang—hindi puwedeng manahimik. Kailangan itong sagutin,” Luistro said.

(When allegations are grave, silence is not an option. These grave allegations must be addressed.)

“When accusations are heavy, the answer must be heavier,” she added.

The House justice panel earlier found the two impeachment complaints sufficient in form and substance. 

The Vice President, in her answer, however denied committing impeachable offenses.

She argued that her right to due process was violated, and that there is no contract showing that she ordered the killing of the President and the Chief Executive’s immediate family.

She also cited that the P73 million Notice of Disallowance issued by state auditors on her office's use of 2022 confidential funds is not yet final and thus, appealable. 

Luistro countered that the House justice panel found the complaints sufficient in form and substance based on their merits, and the Vice President had a chance to answer. 

“Every allegation was questioned. Every point was challenged. Every argument was tested. She was given the opportunity to respond. That is due process,” Luistro said.—AOL, GMA Integrated News