Sara impeach raps hearings start Monday

THE House Committee on Justice will open deliberations on the four impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday next week, panel chair Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said on Tuesday.

- BY WENDELL VIGILIA

Luistro said her panel will hold deliberations from Monday to Wednesday to determine if the complaints are sufficient in form and substance, the tests that the impeachment complaints against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. failed.

"I wish to advance that we are inclined to continue the hearing even during (congressional) recess," she said, referring to the scheduled Holy Week break of Congress, which will start on March 21.

Luistro said the Vice President will be invited to attend the hearings as part of due process, but it is her prerogative whether she attends or not.

"The Vice President will definitely be invited. Like I told you, that's her right. That's part of her right to due process. But as to whether she will come or otherwise, it is actually her prerogative," she said in mixed English and Filipino.

"If she comes, it means that she is exercising her right to due process. Otherwise, that only means that she is waiving her right to be present during the hearing," she added.

Luistro said that under the House's rules, Duterte's lawyers are not allowed to participate in the deliberations, "but if in case there will be intention on the part of the lawyers of the Vice President (to participate), this will be decided upon by the members."

She reiterated that the same strict rules and parameters used in the impeachment deliberations against the President will be applied to the four complaints against Duterte.