The repeated absences of Vice President Sara Duterte from House hearings took center stage as the Committee on Justice moved Monday to finalize its report and Articles of Impeachment, following its earlier finding of probable cause against her.
Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro, chair of the panel, said in her opening statement on May 4 that what stood out throughout the proceedings was not only the evidence presented, but the absence of the Vice President despite repeated invitations to attend.
“Sa bawat ebidensya, walang direktang sagot. Sa bawat tanong, walang paliwanag,” Luistro said, noting that the committee had expected Duterte to appear under oath but was instead met by what she described as an unoccupied seat throughout the hearings.
Luistro said the panel proceeded with its work as resource persons presented testimony and documents involving allegations of misuse of confidential funds, questionable disbursements, Anti-Money Laundering Council financial records, Securities and Exchange Commission findings, and other issues raised during the inquiry.
“Naghintay tayo ng salaysay mula sa Bise Presidente sa ilalim ng panunumpa, pero ang tanging humarap sa atin ay ang katahimikan ng isang bakanteng upuan,” she added.
The committee earlier concluded that it had sufficient basis to move forward, with Luistro recalling the April 29 decision that the panel had already “seen enough” evidence to support its findings.
She also stressed that extending the hearings further would no longer change the direction of the proceedings, especially given the absence of the official respondent.
The committee unanimously voted to find probable cause to impeach Duterte for culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, and betrayal of public trust.
Luistro said Monday’s session was intended to formalize the findings into a committee report and Articles of Impeachment for submission to the House plenary.
“We are, therefore, here to finalize the Committee Report and, thereafter, the Articles of Impeachment,” she said, adding that the panel’s task is now to transmit the documents to the full chamber for further action.