BATANGAS Rep. Gerville Luistro described the comments of Vice President Sara Duterte and Sen. Imee Marcos on the possible impeachment trial of the second-highest official of the country as “baseless.”
Duterte said Thursday that those who received “suitcases” of money to sign the articles of impeachment against her should give the money to their constituents.Senator Marcos, on the other hand, claimed that those who will vote for Duterte’s impeachment will receive a P3-million additional budget and MOOE (maintenance and other operating expenses). Doing otherwise, she alleged, would risk them facing charges before the Office of the Ombudsman.”I did not encounter that,” Luistro said in a forum on Saturday, adding she was never approached by anyone since the Justice Committee hearings began.She added that she does not dwell on the insinuations that the impeachment vote is being driven by incentives, noting that the committee spent two months on the proceedings and that no one approached, offered, or threatened her during the process.Luistro said that they will be given the opportunity to defend the committee report on Monday, which contains the articles of impeachment and the findings of probable cause.”We will anticipate that there will be debate in as far as our findings of probable cause [are] concerned. We also anticipate that our proceedings in the Justice Committee may be questioned by some members of the House,” Luistro said, adding that defending the report will be tough. “So instead of focusing on the baseless statements of the people around, I would rather focus on how am I going to deliver my report to the plenary.”She said that the voting for the articles will be on nominal voting, where each member will be explaining their vote, and once the required one-third, or 106 votes, have been reached, the articles will be transmitted immediately to the Senate.When asked if she encountered any pressure following remarks by National Unity Party chairman and Antipolo Rep. Ronaldo Puno, Luistro said that she did not feel any pressure from the leadership or even the Iglesia Ni Cristo, which has been very vocal against impeachment.”It has been a matter of choice. This is a matter of duty, whether I like it or not, because this is the mandate of the Constitution,” Luistro said, adding that it would be the “conscience of every member of the House” that would prevail in the voting.”After you have considered the evidence and the party position, they should think what would be for the best interests of the Philippine nation,” Luistro said.In an earlier statement, Duterte said she is leaving everything to God, maintaining that the allegations against her are baseless.She said that she is ready to help people even if she does not become president.”My capacity to help will not go away. I am not desperate for a position because, regardless of what position you hold, if you truly want to help people, it is always possible,” Duterte added.
