House resumes Sara Duterte impeach hearings March 18
MANILA, Philippines — The House justice committee will hold a hearing into Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment proceedings on March 18, right before Congress adjourns session, to clarify procedural issues now that Vice President Sara Duterte has filed her answer to the allegations.
Rep. Gerville "JinkyBitrics" Luistro (Batangas, 2nd District), who chairs the committee, said on Tuesday, March 17, that the panel will discuss "preliminary matters" in its last session day and seek permission to proceed with the actual hearing proper during recess.
"So on Wednesday, because we want to take advantage of the opportunity na last session day ito, we will be discussing some preliminary matters… we need to seek the permission also of the plenary with respect to the intention to hold hearings during recess," Luistro added.
Duterte submitted her answer ad cautelam on Monday, March 16, which gives complainants three days to file their reply. However, priest Joel Saballa and the other petitioners of the third complaint filed a manifestation on Tuesday seeking to waive their right to reply.
According to their submissions, the complainants see no reason to respond to the vice president's arguments, as she still "failed to explain" how the P612.5 million in confidential funds of her agencies were spent.
"Despite the gravity of the accusations against her, and the unmistakable public character of the funds she is charged of misappropriating, respondent ultimately said nothing to defend herself," the waiver read.
"Accordingly, complainants manifest their intention NOT to file a reply to respondent's non-answer," it added.
Duterte only denied the allegations in her 15-page answer ad cautelam, calling them "false and misleading" because she believes "there is nothing" for her to respond to.
Luistro said that once the impeachment proceedings reach the stage where evidence can be reviewed — and the respondent, complainants and witnesses can testify — the committee can entertain motions and requests from the different parties.
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