Manila, Philippines – Starting next week, the House Committee on Justice is set to open the hearing proper for the fourth stage of the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.
In continuation of the Committee’s deliberations, the panel discussed on Wednesday whether the entirety of the 3rd and 4th impeachment complaints are sufficient in grounds for the proceedings to continue further.
This is the next step following the determination of sufficiency in form and in substance—from which only two of the four impeachment complaints prospered.
The determination of the sufficiency of grounds is the process of the committee’s deliberations on the responsive pleadings, the answer submitted by Duterte.
On Monday, Duterte filed a Consolidated Verified Answer Ad Cautelam with caution as a response to the allegations.
Her reply did not directly answer the allegations, arguing instead the lack of ultimate facts of the cases, alleged violation of due process and double standards between Marcos’ and Duterte’s complaints.
In the same response, Duterte sought for the dismissal of the cases.
Following this, the complainants filed a manifestation, wavering theire rights to file a reply regarding Duterte’s response.
This is after Duterte failed to directly answer the allegations, leaving them no reason to futher submit a reply.
Some members of the Justice Committee likewise expressed disappointment over the quality and content of Duterte’s reply, saying that she failed to answer or rebutt any of the allegations.
The committee also denied Duterte’s allegations of violation of due process and so-called double standards.
They also expressed belief that there are enough basis and ground sufficiency to proceed to the hearing proper.
In a motion, both the 3rd and 4th impeachment complaints were declared sufficient on grounds.
Following the approval of the motion with no opposition, the Committee schedules the hearings on March 25, April 14, 22, and 29, adopting as well a resolution that the panel will continue the proceedings even during the congress break.
On this stage, complainats, respondent, and evidences may participate and be presented before the committee.—Mia Layaguin, Eurotv News