MANILA — The House Committee on Justice begins today its high-stakes review of four impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, vowing to apply “strictly” the same rules used in past proceedings as it determines whether the cases will move forward.
Bicol Saro Party-list’s Cong. Terry Ridon, a member of the panel, said the committee is bound to enforce established impeachment procedures and ensure impartiality as it evaluates whether the complaints meet constitutional and legal requirements.
“Siyempre ang commitment ng House Committee on Justice ay ipapatupad natin lahat ng relevant rules sa impeachment na ipinatupad din natin in previous impeachment proceedings katulad noong impeachment proceeding po ni Pangulong Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr.,” Ridon said.
“Commitment din ng committee na magiging fair he added.
The complaints—filed separately by members of the Makabayan bloc including Kabataan, Gabriela, and ACT Teachers party-list groups, as well as lawyer Nathaniel Cabrera and several civil society organizations—accuse Duterte-Carpio of betrayal of public trust, misuse of public funds, violations of the Constitution, graft and corruption, bribery, and other serious offenses.
Under House rules, the justice panel’s first task is to determine whether the complaints are sufficient in form and substance. Only if the panel finds probable cause will the case advance to plenary deliberations and potentially to a Senate trial.
Ridon clarified that the Vice President’s personal appearance during the proceedings would not be mandatory and would depend on the strategy of her legal team.
“Ibinibigay po natin sa Pangalawang Pangulo ang karapatan na magpakita at hindi magpakita sa ating mga proseso,” he said. “Depende kung paano ilalatag ‘yung depensa ng Pangalawang Pangulo, sila ang magpapasya kung makakatulong ba sa kanilang kaso ‘yung pagpapakita o pagharap ng ating Bise Presidente.”
The outcome of the committee’s review will determine whether the impeachment complaints gain traction in the House or are dismissed at the preliminary stage — marking a critical turning point in the political and legal battle surrounding the country’s second-highest official./PN
