MANILA, Philippines – Magsisimula na ang House committee on justice sa deliberasyon nito sa merito ng apat na impeachment complaints laban kay Vice President Sara Duterte sa Marso 2, ayon kay House justice panel chair at Batangas Second District Rep. Gerville Luistro nitong Martes, Pebrero 24.
Ang anunsyo ni Luistro ay isang araw matapos mai-refer ng House plenary ang apat na impeachment complaints laban kay Duterte sa House Committee on Justice.
“We are considering to start the deliberation of the Justice Committee on March 2, March 3, and March 4. That is Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, at least for the purpose of determining sufficiency in form and substance,” sinabi ni Luistro.
“Of course, we cannot start this week as much as we wanted to take action right away because the Justice Committee needs to reproduce the [copy of the] complaints and provide copies to all the members of the Justice Committee,” dagdag pa niya.
Inakusahan sa impeachment complaints si Duterte ng betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, graft, and corruption, partikular sa maling paggamit ng P612.5 milyon ng confidential funds at paggamit ng mga ito sa panunuhol, at ang pagbabantang papatayin si Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at kanyang pamilya.
Unang aalamin muna ng komite ang sufficiency in form ng mga reklamo, at ang substance nito.
Kung makapapasa sa dalawang requirement ang reklamo ay tatanungin naman ng panel ang respondent.
Para sa Bise Presidente ay kailangan nitong ihain ang kanyang sagot sa loob ng 10 calendar days.
Mula sa sagot, ang complainants naman ay kailangang sumagot. Kung hihiling ng rejoinder ang respondent ay magagawa niya ito sa loob ng three calendar days.
Kapag tapos na ito ay tutuloy na ang House Committee on Justice sa hearing proper, kung saan iimbestigahan ng House justice panel ang complainant, witnesses, at respondent.
“Again, her presence in the hearing is part of her right to due process. So, whether she wishes to come or not, it is actually her prerogative. Kung hindi siya darating doon sa hearing, it will be interpreted merely as her waiver of her right to be present during the hearing,” sinabi ni Luistro.
“This [matter] will be decided upon by the members, but I wish to advance, wala po sa [House] rules ang participation ng lawyers. It will only be the members of the Justice Committee who will participate in the deliberation,” dagdag pa niya.
“But if in case there will be intention on the part of the lawyers of the Vice President, this will be decided upon by the members.” RNT/JGC
