THE House Committee on Justice on Wednesday found sufficient grounds to proceed with hearings on two impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte, paving the way for full-blown proceedings starting March 25.
The panel, chaired by Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, approved without objection motions declaring that there are sufficient grounds to conduct hearings on the third and fourth impeachment complaints against the vice president.
Four impeachment complaints were filed last month against Duterte. The committee set aside the first one, finding that it violated the rule against initiating impeachment proceedings against the same official more than once within a one-year period.
The second one filed was withdrawn by the 17 people who filed it.
The third impeachment complaint, also known as the Saballa et al. complaint and endorsed by ML Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, includes allegations of misuse of confidential and intelligence funds, violations of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust.
The fourth impeachment complaint was filed by lawyer Nathaniel Cabrera and endorsed by Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr., and Deputy Speaker and La Union 1st District Rep. Francisco Paolo Ortega V.
It includes allegations of unexplained wealth, violations of statements of assets, liabilities and net worth requirements, bribery and a supposed threat against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former speaker Martin Romualdez.
With the determination phase completed, the committee set the initial hearing dates on March 25, April 14, April 22 and April 29.
Luistro said the evidence and witnesses to be presented during the hearings will be considered in determining probable cause in the next stage of the proceedings.
The panel also confirmed it is authorized by the House plenary to continue impeachment proceedings during the congressional recess from March 21 to May 3.
Luistro also placed on record motions filed by Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno, including a March 5 request for a subpoena duces tecum and a March 17 petition for adequate protection, which may include transfer of custody, for witness Ramil Madriaga, identified as the alleged bagman of the vice president.
She said the committee will act on the request for the issuance of a subpoena and the petition at the initial stage of the hearing proper on March 25.
Before the vote, House Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Iloilo 3rd District Rep. Lorenz Defensor stressed the need to move swiftly, saying that part of due process is to conduct hearings so the vice president can present evidence, and that due process also requires expediting impeachment proceedings.
“The impeachment process should be speedy, because if Vice President Duterte is innocent, the complaint should be dismissed so that she won’t be inconvenienced and could return to her work,” Defensor said in Filipino.
“And it should be speedy because if the respondent is guilty, the complaint should go to trial for the Senate to decide if she should stay in her post or removed,” he added.
No more delays
Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Ortega welcomed the House Committee on Justice’s announcement of the initial hearing dates on the impeachment complaints against Vice President Duterte.
“No more delays. Let’s start the hearings of the committee so that the people can look at the evidence and hear the witnesses,” he said.
“The committee has spoken, the dates are set, and the Filipino people expect action — not more procedural excuses,” he added.
Ortega praised Luistro and the justice committee for moving swiftly to evidentiary hearings following their determination that there were sufficient grounds to hear the complaints.
“These scheduled dates send a clear message: the time for technical maneuvers is over. The House is ready to hear evidence in open session, allow witnesses to testify, and let the facts speak for themselves. Transparency and accountability demand nothing less.” Ortega also called on all parties to respect the process and participate constructively as the nation watches the proceedings unfold starting March 25.
Duterte response
Duterte filed an answer to the complaints, saying they should be dismissed, saying the charges against her “cannot withstand serious scrutiny.” “Since these imputations do not rest on any established facts or final findings of a competent tribunal or court, they remain mere conclusions at best,” she said in her response.
The answer also said the complaints failed to show “any shred of proof” that a contract to kill ever existed. “Instead, complainants rely on exaggerated conclusions dressed up as fact,” it read.