The House Committee on Justice on Tuesday said it has yet to receive any indication from Vice President Sara Duterte’s camp on whether she will attend the upcoming impeachment hearing.
Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro, who chairs the panel, said the committee remains hopeful that the vice president will personally address the allegations raised against her.
“Wala tayong nare-receive about the possibility of the Vice President attending our hearing tomorrow. But again, we are still hopeful kasi sabi ko nga, ang tagal na nitong mga katanungan na to, questions on the confidential fund, questions on the threat committed against the President, questions on unexplained wealth, I think it’s about time na marinig na ng taong bayan ang kasagutan ng ating bise presidente,” Luistro said in an interview.
She emphasized that attendance ultimately depends on Duterte.
“It’s actually her choice whether to come or not,” Luistro added.
Luistro also noted that draft rules for the hearing—still being finalized—will limit participation to committee members, complainants, the respondent, and their respective witnesses.
“We just need to emphasize na for purposes of our hearing proper, the direct examination and the cross-examination are exclusive for the Justice members. At kagaya ng nasabi ko before, if ever the lawyers will be allowed to participate, the same are limited to assisting their respective clients,” she explained.
If Duterte chooses not to attend, Luistro said the proceedings may mirror earlier hearings that focused on determining the sufficiency of grounds for the impeachment complaints.