THE House Committee on Justice will open the proper hearing on the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte on Wednesday, March 25, marking a critical turning point as proceedings formally move toward the presentation of evidence and witnesses.
The committee, chaired by Batangas Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro, will convene at 10:00 a.m. at the People’s Center, House of Representatives, where it is set to lay down ground rules, tackle key motions, and initiate hearings on the complaints ahead of the evidentiary phase.
Under the agenda, the panel will proceed to the initial hearing on the two remaining complaints—the third and fourth impeachment complaints against the vice president.
The third complaint was filed by Rev. Fr. Joel Saballa and endorsed by ML Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, while the fourth complaint was filed by lawyer Nathaniel Cabrera and endorsed by Manila Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. and Deputy Speaker Francisco Paolo Ortega V.
The committee will also act on pending motions, including requests for the issuance of subpoenas for documents.
Also up for resolution is the petition to place under the panel’s custody a key witness, Ramil Madriaga, who claims to be a former “bagman” of the vice president, as well as the issue of alleged conflict of interest involving two members of Duterte’s legal team.
Luistro said the panel is prepared to move swiftly into the evidentiary phase once these matters are resolved.
“If the complainants are ready, we can actually proceed to the presentation of evidence and witnesses,” Luistro said.
“Prosecutors kami dito. So, ang mga justice members ang mag-aaral ng lahat ng ebidensyang ilalatag ng complainant at ng respondent,” she added.
Luistro emphasized that the proceedings will remain strictly rules-based, with only committee members allowed to conduct cross-examination of witnesses.
The proper hearing will take place because the committee found enough reasons to move forward with the two remaining impeachment complaints, which means they are done deciding and are now moving on to the full hearings.
The complaints include allegations of misuse of confidential and intelligence funds, unexplained wealth, violations of Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) requirements, bribery, and an alleged threat against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.
The justice panel was authorized by the House plenary to continue its proceedings even during the congressional recess, ensuring the uninterrupted conduct of the impeachment process.
It has set subsequent hearing dates on April 14, April 22, and April 29, where the panel is expected to continue receiving evidence and testimonies from both sides.
Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, chair of the House Committee on Public Accounts and a member of the justice panel, underscored that the proceedings are anchored on evidence and official findings, rejecting claims that the complaints are speculative.
“But we have to be very clear—everything that has been discussed previously is not based on speculation, these are based on evidence,” Ridon said. “Hindi ho totoo na all of these are based on conjecture.”
“Hindi ho ito haka-haka. These are official audit findings,” he added, citing COA reports and prior congressional proceedings.
The Vice President has received the invitation to attend the hearing, but her camp has yet to confirm whether she will appear.
Her defense team earlier said there is no requirement under existing rules for her to personally attend, adding that any decision will depend on her rights and legal advice.
But for Atty. Dino de Leon, counsel for the movants of the second impeachment complaint—which was later withdrawn to support the third complaint—Duterte is duty-bound to face the proceedings.
“Duty bound siya. Constitutional process ‘to… accountability ito, kailangan mag-explain siya,” de Leon said.
“Iyung Constitution po ang sinasabi. This is a sacred process, and kailangang galangin ni Sara Duterte ang mga institusyon,” he added.
With the proper hearing set to begin, the proceedings are expected to determine whether sufficient basis exists to establish probable cause and eventually elevate the case to a full impeachment trial in the Senate.
Meanwhile, a civic group has signaled plans to convene a parallel “people’s court” to monitor the process should the case reach the Senate.
“Binabalak [namin] na magtayo ng parang people’s counterpart – people’s court na habang nagsasagawa ng pandinig doon sa loob ng Senado,” said Kilusang Makabansang Ekonomiya chairman Jaime Regalario, as the group seeks to expand public participation and oversight in the proceedings.
