MANILA, Philippines – Itinakda sa Marso 18 ang susunod na pagdinig ng committee on justice ng Kamara para pag-usapan ang preliminary matters kaugnay ng impeachment complaints laban kay Vice President Sara Duterte, sinabi ni Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro nitong Biyernes, Marso 13.
Sinabi ni Luistro na ang pagpupulong naman kaugnay sa sufficiency of grounds na nabanggit sa dalawang nalalabing impeachment complaint laban kay Duterte ay itinakda ng Abril 8.
Naabisuhan na ang mga miyembro sa nakatakdang pagdinig sa Marso 18.
“We have already issued the notice, that is for our committee hearing on Wednesday, March 18, the purpose of which is to discuss preliminary matters prior to our hearing proper, which will start on April 8, tentatively,” ani Luistro.
Bahagi ng diskusyon aniya ay ang mosyon ni Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno kaugnay sa pagpapa-subpoena ng mga dokumento na susi sa impeachment hearing, kasama ang hiling ng House panel sa kustodiya ni Ramil Madriaga.
“As to your question, when would we tackle this motion or request of Cong. Chel Diokno, as well as not only the issuance of subpoena of bank records, but even with respect to the transfer of custody, apparently we first need to determine the existence of sufficient grounds,” paliwanag ni Luistro.
“If there is sufficient ground that supports impeachment, then we can act on the motion of Cong. Chel Diokno with respect to the issuance of subpoena of bank records […] but definitely this will be discussed during the hearing this coming Wednesday, March 18,” dagdag pa niya.
Isa pa umanong isyu na tatalakayin ay ang pangamba ni Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon tungkol sa dalawang abogado ni Duterte na sina dating Education Assistant Secretary for Procurement Reynold Munsayac at dating Department of Education (DepEd) spokesperson Michael Poa na posibleng potential witness sa impeachment proceedings.
Sa kaparehong briefing, sinabi ni Luistro na nauunawaan niya ang pangamba ni Ridon.
“There is a possibility that the prosecution might be calling Atty. Munsayac and Atty. Poa to the witness stand. Remember that these two […] they were people who are associated to the VP during the period when the alleged misuse took place. So there is a very big possibility that they will be presented by the prosecution as witnesses,” sinabi ni Luistro.
“If that happens and we allow their entry of appearance as lawyers of VP, they can raise the rule of privileged communication between a lawyer and a client, which means that all matters discussed by a lawyer and their client, within the definition of the attorney-client relationship, cannot be divulged in court because it is protected by the rule on privilege communication,” dagdag pa nito.
May iba’t ibang pananaw naman ang mga mambabatas punto ni Ridon. RNT/JGC
