House panel: VP Sara impeach complaints have sufficient grounds, hearing starts March 25

MANILA, Philippines – The House justice committee declared on Wednesday, March 18, that the complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte allege sufficient grounds for impeachment, paving the way for a public hearing that will start next week.

The panel met on Wednesday to weigh in on Duterte’s filing of a verified answer to the two impeachment complaints against her.

Her formal reply, filed on Monday, March 16, refused to address the material allegations in the complaints, and instead questioned the integrity of the House impeachment proceedings. She also accused the lower chamber of double standards for quickly dismissing the impeachment complaints against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who was implicated in the public works kickback scheme.

Duterte’s “non-answer,” as described by the complainants, prompted them to waive their right to file a reply to fast-track the proceedings.

“Nothing in the said answer contraverts the allegation raised in the Saballa complaint,” committee vice chair Joel Chua said, referring to the first active petition endorsed by Senior Deputy Minority Leader Leila de Lima. “All allegations in the complaint stand as they were never rebutted.”

The two petitions, including the one endorsed separately by Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega and Manila 6th District Representative Bienvenido Abante, have cited numerous grounds for impeachment, such as culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes.

The alleged offenses include her alleged misuse of confidential funds, her alleged fabrications of submissions to the Commission on Audit, her alleged bribery of education officials, her alleged unexplained wealth, and her apparent threats to the life of President Marcos and his family.

In declaring that sufficient grounds for impeachment exist in the two complaints, the panel opens the doors for a public hearing, where lawmakers can evaluate documents and other related evidence, and examine witnesses.

The hearing proper will begin on March 25, followed by proceedings on April 14, 22, and 29, committee chairperson Jinky Luistro said. – Rappler.com