The House Committee on Justice on Monday declared sufficient in form the two impeachment complaints filed against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., paving the way for a review of their substance.
The panel, chaired by Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro, first voted on the complaint filed by lawyer Andre de Jesus and endorsed by Pusong Pinoy Party-list Representative Jernie Jett Nisay, with 46 in favor, one against, and one abstention.
The complaint filed by the Makabayan bloc was likewise upheld, garnering 45 votes in favor, nine against, and one abstention.
“Tapos na, both complaints were declared sufficient in form. For tomorrow, we will be moving to the determination of sufficiency in substance,” Luistro said.
She explained that sufficiency in form refers to compliance with requirements such as proper signatures, verification based on personal knowledge and authentic records, and execution under oath.
“For the determination of sufficiency in substance, this means that the recital of facts must constitute the offense determinative of the jurisdiction of the committee on justice,” Luistro added.
“Bukas po, tatalakayin naman ang sufficiency in substance. Pag sinabi po nating substance dapat yun pong mga isinulat nila doon na pagkakamali ng impeachable official, they must constitute the offense which is the ground for impeachment,” she said.
Luistro emphasized that the committee is confined to the contents of the complaints at this stage.
“We are not supposed to go beyond, bawal pa po kaming makinig ng mga ebidensya to prove the allegations in the complaint. That will happen after these complaints pass the standard of form and substance,” she noted.
Committee vice chairperson and San Juan At-Large District Representative Ysabel Zamora said that if either complaint is found sufficient in substance, the panel will issue a resolution directing the submission of pleadings, after which hearings will be conducted.