A senior lawmaker of the House of Representatives stressed that the Lower Chamber has strictly complied with the Supreme Court’s directives on due process in the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.
The solon said all members of the House have already received copies of the committee report and Articles of Impeachment ahead of the expected plenary deliberations next week.
In an interview, House Senior Deputy Majority Leader Lorenz Defensor said the chamber took extra precautions following the Supreme Court’s guidance on the handling of the impeachment case.
“Ngayon, napakaingat ng House of Representatives. Sinunod namin every instruction,” Defensor said.
The Iloilo lawmaker noted that the House previously maintained the position that once at least one-third of lawmakers signed the Articles of Impeachment, the complaint could automatically proceed to the Senate for trial.
However, he said the chamber opted to follow the Supreme Court’s guidance to ensure that due process requirements are fully observed.
Defensor, who also serves as vice chairperson of the House Committee on Rules, said the committee report from the House Committee on Justice has already been included in the Calendar of Business, making it ready for plenary consideration during next week’s sessions.
According to him, lawmakers were already furnished with both printed and digital copies of the impeachment documents.
“All members may kopya na. May hard copy, may soft copy,” he said.
He added that while the impeachment document spans around 93 pages, the House Committee on Justice prepared simplified summaries for each article and allegation to make the material easier to understand for lawmakers and the public.
“Every allegation or article has a summary … The Committee on Justice prepared it and ensured that every congressman, abogado man o hindi, maiintindihan nila ang Articles of Impeachment,” Defensor said.
The House leader also stressed that the impeachment proceedings have remained transparent, saying the committee did not withhold documents or evidence presented during the hearings.
The House Committee on Justice earlier found probable cause to impeach Duterte after conducting weeks of hearings. It later approved the committee report, resolution, and Articles of Impeachment, which are scheduled for plenary action on May 11.
The impeachment articles include allegations involving the supposed misuse of P612.5 million in confidential and intelligence funds, alleged bribery and corruption involving Department of Education officials, unexplained wealth, and discrepancies in the Vice President’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.
The complaint also cited transactions amounting to P6.77 billion reportedly flagged by the Anti-Money Laundering Council, as well as Duterte’s alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.