THE House Committee on Justice is targeting April 29 to conclude its impeachment hearings against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, as it moves to determine probable cause on complaints alleging threats to top government officials, misuse of confidential funds, unexplained wealth, and discrepancies in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.
A committee report may be transmitted to the plenary when Congress resumes session on May 4, marking the next phase of the constitutional process that could lead to a Senate trial.
Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, a member of the justice panel, said the committee is nearing the end of its evidence-gathering phase, with key agencies and resource persons scheduled for the remaining hearings on April 22 and 29.
“Ang alam ko on the 29th, hopefully we will wrap up,” Adiong said during dzBB’s Bantay Balita sa Kongreso interview with Isa Avendaño-Umali and Nimfa Ravelo.
Adiong said that once approved at the committee level, the report—along with the third and fourth impeachment complaints—will be elevated to the plenary, where lawmakers will be given time to review the findings before any vote.
He added that plenary debates will allow members to question the sponsor, Batangas Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro, who chairs the Justice committee, as part of the deliberative process.
“So hindi siya agad-agad ma-aprubahan kasi magkakaroon pa ‘yan ng, of course magkakaroon pa talaga ng debate ‘yan and there will be also time for other members to elicit answers from the chairperson which would be the sponsor of this committee report,” he said.
Adiong stressed that the proceedings remain within constitutional bounds, with the House determining only probable cause—not guilt.
He said the panel is focused on whether the evidence, including confirmatory documents, is sufficient to elevate the case for trial in the Senate.
The impeachment complaints accuse Duterte of betrayal of public trust and possible constitutional violations, citing, among others, alleged irregularities in the use of confidential and intelligence funds under the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education when she served as its secretary.
They also reference reported inconsistencies in her asset declarations and allegations that she made threats against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then-Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.
