House panel: Sara impeach raps sufficient in grounds

THE House Committee on Justice on Wednesday declared the two impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte sufficient in grounds, clearing the path for the next stages of the proceedings, which is the start of the hearing proper.

- BY WENDELL VIGILIA

The panel chaired by Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro set the initial formal hearing dates on March 25, April 14, 22 and 29.

During Wednesday's hearing, the committee separately approved the motions to declare the two complaints against the Vice President sufficient in grounds.

The first complaint was filed by a group of priests, nurses and lawyers led by Fr. Joel Saballa and endorsed by Rep. Leila de Lima (PL, ML) last February 9, while the second complaint was filed by lawyer Nathaniel Cabrera last February 18 and endorsed by Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V and Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr.

Iloilo Rep. Lorenz Defensor, a senior deputy majority leader, moved to declare the Saballa et al. complaint sufficient in grounds, while Deputy Speaker Janette Garin, also of Iloilo, raised the same motion in favor of the Cabrera complaint.

In the hearing proper, evidence and witnesses will be presented before the panel votes to determine if there is probable cause to send the complaints to the Senate for trial, a decision that the plenary will have to make.

In a statement issued by the Office of the Vice President, Duterte's defense team said the panel's finding "is not a determination of truth, nor is it a finding of liability."

"Our position remains unchanged. The complaints suffer from a fundamental defect. They are built on conclusions, speculation, and narratives that are not anchored on the ultimate facts required under the Constitution and the Rules," they said.

"What is being advanced are accusations in search of evidence, not evidence in support of accusations. Ultimately, the process must be governed not by any political agenda, but by the Constitution, the rules, and credible and competent evidence.

On that basis, the defense stands on firm ground," they added.