The House Committee on Justice will start hearings next week on the four impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Committee chairperson and Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro confirmed that deliberations are scheduled from March 2 to 4. The initial focus will be on whether the complaints are sufficient in form and substance.
“We cannot start this week as much as we wanted to take action right away since the justice committee needs to reproduce the complaints and provide copies to all the members,” Luistro explained.
She clarified that while all four complaints will be discussed in a single proceeding, physical consolidation will occur only after probable cause is established.
“For clarity, kaya sinasabi natin consolidation is because we will be deliberating on the four impeachment complaints in one impeachment proceeding. But as to the physical consolidation, that will happen only after we have determined the existence of probable cause,” she said.
Luistro detailed a five-step process: assessing sufficiency in form, sufficiency in substance, evaluating the basis of the complaints, conducting hearings, and determining probable cause.
The committee’s recommendation will then go to the House plenary. If at least one-third of members vote in favor, the articles of impeachment will be transmitted to the Senate for trial.