Tuluy-Tuloy ang Impeachment Track: House Sets April Hearings on Sara Case

The House of Representatives is moving ahead with impeachment proceedings involving Vice President Sara Duterte, even after her supporters filed a petition before the Supreme Court. For lawmakers handling the case, that legal move was expected and does not automatically stop the committee process.

San Juan Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora said Duterte's lawyers are simply using the remedies available to them, but the House justice committee will still follow the Constitution and its own impeachment rules. She said the next step is the continuation of hearings before the committee, which is now working on the question of probable cause.

The panel, chaired by Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, had already begun clarificatory hearings on March 25 after finding two complaints sufficient in form, substance, and grounds. Hearings are lined up for April 14, 22, and 29, ahead of the resumption of congressional sessions on May 4.

Luistro stressed that the committee still needs to review evidence and hear witnesses before deciding whether the case should move further. She also clarified that what is happening in the House is different from an actual Senate impeachment trial, since the committee stage is focused only on determining whether there is enough basis to proceed.

On the defense side, spokesman Michael Poa said Sara Duterte's camp would not object if the House eventually elevates the case to the Senate, though it continues to argue that some committee requests go beyond what should be examined. So for now, malinaw ang direction: the House is not hitting pause, and the impeachment process stays on track unless a higher court says otherwise.

Source: Philstar.com