Del Castillo's fate known today

MANILA, Philippines - The impeachment case against Supreme Court (SC) Justice Mariano del Castillo will be subjected to a vote at the House of Representatives today.

Speaking to reporters, Iloilo Rep. Niel Tupas Jr., committee on justice chairman, yesterday said they would determine probable cause to impeach Del Castillo for allegedly plagiarizing and misrepresenting the views of three foreign authors in a decision he had written.

“I cannot predict the outcome of the vote, even though the committee has found the complaint sufficient in form and substance, and has found sufficient ground to pursue it, which are the first three steps in the impeachment process,” he said.

The complaint against Del Castillo arose from the decision he wrote in the case of several “comfort women” who wanted the SC to compel the government to seek reparations and an apology from Japan for the abuses they suffered during the Japanese occupation.

In a unanimous decision, the SC threw out the petition and cleared Del Castillo of plagiarism.

Last week, Del Castillo and the complainants submitted their evidence to the justice committee.

Del Castillo’s evidence included the SC decision clearing him and the testimony of the complainants in last week’s hearing that they did not want him removed and just wanted a reversal of the decision.

Del Castillo did not attend last week’s hearing.

His lawyer said he was to go through certain hospital procedures in preparation for his second heart surgery scheduled for Feb. 27.

He is reportedly on sick or “wellness” leave.

The evidence of the complainants included protest letters to the SC of three foreign authors whose views Del Castillo allegedly copied without attribution.

Del Castillo’s lawyer told the committee no law punishes plagiarism.

However, his client was not admitting the accusation, the lawyer added.

If Del Rosario had indeed committed plagiarism, it could not be classified as an impeachable offense, his lawyer said.