Members of the House Committee on Justice on Saturday stressed that Vice President Sara Duterte’s announcement of her 2028 presidential bid will not influence ongoing impeachment proceedings against her.
Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon said, “Tingin ko po, at the level of House Committee on Justice, laser-focused po ang members to determine sufficiency in form and substance. Tingin ko po, irrelevant yung declaration ni VP Sara sa pagkapangulo sa disposition ng House Committee on Justice.”
Ridon assured that the committee remains committed to a fair process: “Ang commitment ng House Committee on Justice, gagamitin ang relevant tools in impeachment at magiging fair ng pagpapatupad ng mandato.”
House Justice Committee Chairperson Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro similarly emphasized independence and impartiality.
“We should maintain our independence and impartiality regardless of the pronouncement of the Vice President. This is a duty regardless of our political affiliation or alignment. At the end of the day, we owe this allegiance neither to the President nor to the Vice President but to the sovereign Filipino people,” she said.
Duterte announced her intent to run for president on February 18, apologizing for her 2022 alliance with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. under the unity banner.