Formal hearings on impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte resume this week, as the House committee on justice discusses their merits after finding them sufficient in form, substance, and grounds. The panel, led by Batangas 2nd district Rep. Gerville Luistro, begins step 4 on March 25.
In Manila, Philippines, the House committee on justice resumes formal hearings this week on impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte. Lawmakers previously voted 54-1, with only Quezon City 4th district Rep. Bong Suntay dissenting out of 55 members, to declare the Saballa-Cabrera complaints sufficient in form and substance. The panel, led by Batangas 2nd district Rep. Gerville Luistro, now deliberates step 4 of the impeachment process, described as the trial proper, starting March 25, even during congressional recess. Following this, step 5 involves determining probable cause, requiring a majority vote from its 55 members to forward the cases to the plenary. Luistro warned that Duterte's absence at this stage could leave the allegations against her unchallenged, potentially hastening transmission to the Senate. Congress has committed to continuing the proceedings.
