MANILA: The House committee on justice is targeting to conclude by April 29 its impeachment hearings on Vice President Sara Duterte (pic), as it moves to determine probable cause on the impeachment complaints against her.
Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, a member of the justice panel, disclosed that scheduled date, saying the committee is already nearing the end of its evidence-gathering phase, with key agencies and resource persons scheduled for the remaining hearings on April 22 and 29.
“[From what I know, by] the 29th, hopefully we will wrap up,” Adiong said in a radio interview, as quoted by his office in a statement.
A committee report may then be transmitted to the plenary when Congress resumes session on May 4, marking the next phase of the constitutional process that could lead to a Senate trial.
According to Adiong, once approved at the committee level, the report—along with the third and fourth impeachment complaints—will be elevated to the plenary, where lawmakers will be given time to review the findings before any vote.
The plenary debates will also allow members to question the sponsor, Batangas Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro, who chairs the justice committee, as part of the deliberative process.
“So it won’t be approved right away because there will still be further debates, and there will also be time for other members to [ask the chairperson questions, as she will serve as] the sponsor of this committee report,” he said.
Adiong stressed the proceedings remain within constitutional bounds, with the House determining only probable cause, not guilt.
Duterte is accused of betrayal of public trust and alleged irregularities in the use of confidential and intelligence funds under the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education when she served as its secretary.
The complaints also cited alleged inconsistencies in her asset declarations as well as her online death threats against President Marcos, first lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then Speaker Martin Romualdez. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
