Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla and former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV are expected to attend the House Committee on Justice’s second hearing on the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday, April 22.
The upcoming proceedings will focus on allegations of unexplained wealth involving the Vice President. Remulla confirmed his attendance and noted that he would provide the Vice President’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) to the committee.
“I will show up for a while. Kailangang magsagot ng mga tanong ‘yung person in charge of the documents of the Ombudsman. Wala akong kinalaman, institutional ‘yon. Just to show respect to the House,” Remulla said in a radio interview.
The House justice panel has also summoned officials from the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to testify.
Representative Terry Ridon of the Bicol Saro Party-list stated that the goal of the hearing is to substantiate the allegations through financial records.
“‘Pag na-establish sa bank accounts at sa financial documents ‘yung kaso ng unexplained wealth at SALN violations, rising to a level of betrayal of public trust, mabubuo po namin sa darating na pagdinig,” Ridon said.
Should the House approve the impeachment articles and transmit them to the Senate, Senate leaders are already discussing a potential trial schedule.
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson proposed holding the trial on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 3 p.m., leaving Tuesdays and Thursdays for regular Senate sessions, with committee hearings in the mornings.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III suggested a more rigorous schedule of Monday through Friday at 3 p.m., with legislative duties squeezed into morning hours from Monday to Wednesday.