Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro denied that vote buying or bribery influenced the House committee on justice members' votes on impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte. She refuted claims by Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco. The committee will begin its preliminary investigation on March 25.
House committee on justice chairman Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro stated that no vote buying or bribery affected members' votes on impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte. In an interview on 'The Newsmaker' on Newswatch TV, she said, 'I totally deny the allegations that there is vote buying in relation to the impeachment process,' refuting Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco's claim. Luistro added, 'I never encountered any attempt from the leadership to influence' her role. The committee will conduct a preliminary investigation starting March 25, despite Congress being in recess. Luistro clarified that the panel is not a trial court, limiting lawyers to assisting clients. Full lawyer participation occurs only in the Senate trial phase. 'It should be the complainant offering evidence, assisted by lawyers; the respondent assisted by her lawyer,' she explained. The justice members act as prosecutors, or 'fiscals,' reviewing evidence from complainants and respondent to determine probable cause for further proceedings. Lawyer Dino de Leon, representing a complainant from Tindig Pilipinas, predicted at the Saturday Media Forum in Quezon City that Vice President Sara Duterte would not attend hearings. 'VP Sara is duty-bound. This is a constitutional process, it is accountability. She has to explain,' De Leon said, urging respect for institutions like the House and Senate.
