House justice panel convenes after Sara Duterte responds to impeach complaints

MANILA, Philippines – The House justice committee resumes deliberations on the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday, March 18.

This is the fourth meeting of the panel on the matter, and the first since the Vice President filed her verified answer to the impeachment complaints on Monday, March 16.

In her submission, Duterte did not address the allegations raised in the complaints and instead questioned the integrity of the House proceedings.

The petitioners behind the two complaints decided to waive their right to submit a reply to Duterte’s answer, with the first group saying Duterte’s answer was a “non-answer.”

Based on House rules, the committee will then decide whether there are sufficient grounds for impeachment. If the complaints pass this test, a public hearing will be set to hear the evidence and the witnesses.

Watch the livestream on this page on Wednesday morning. – Rappler.com