The House Committee on Justice on Wednesday ruled that the two remaining impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte are sufficient in grounds, allowing the process to advance to the next phase.
During the session, Iloilo 3rd District Representative Lorenz Defensor proposed that the third impeachment complaint be deemed sufficient in grounds, followed by Iloilo 1st District Representative Janette Garin who made a similar motion regarding the fourth complaint.
Committee members noted that Duterte’s verified answer ad cautelam did not specifically address each allegation raised in the complaints.
Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro, who chairs the panel, approved both motions after no objections were raised.
“We declare the conclusion of step three. We declare the conclusion of the determination of sufficiency in grounds,” Luistro said.
“Now we proceed to step four. That is the hearing proper,” she added.
Luistro further explained that the “evidence and witnesses which will be presented by both parties during the hearing proper will be part of our consideration in the determination of probable cause in our step five.”
The committee has scheduled the next hearing for March 25.