Metro Manila, Philippines – House justice committee chairperson Gerville “Jinky” Luistro outlined what the public can expect when lawmakers begin impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte on March 25, describing it as a “mini-trial” that will determine whether there is probable cause to elevate the case to the Senate.
In an interview on The Newsmaker, Luistro said the initial hearing will focus on setting the ground rules and formally opening the presentation of evidence.
“The public will expect that the complainants will be presenting their evidence,” she said, noting that documents, witnesses, and even requests for subpoenas—such as financial records—may be tackled during the proceedings.
Luistro said members of the justice committee will be allowed to directly question witnesses and examine evidence.
“The justice members may conduct direct examination and cross-examination,” she said, adding that lawyers may only assist but cannot take the lead in questioning.
She explained that the panel is still finalizing how the hearings will be conducted, including whether discussions will be done per ground or per complaint.
“We are in the process of discussing the rules… our ground rules will be subject to the approval of the majority of the members of the justice committee,” Luistro said.
On what lawmakers will vote on, Luistro said the committee’s main task is to determine the existence of probable cause.
“This is the requirement for us to be able to proceed to plenary and for the plenary to transmit the same to the impeachment court which is the Senate,” she said.
She said the proceedings are not yet a full trial but a preliminary step.
“The full-blown trial, the comprehensive trial, will be happening in the Senate,” she said, explaining that detailed examination of evidence and witness credibility will be reserved for the impeachment court.
She assured the public that both sides will be given equal opportunity to present their case. The March 25 hearing is expected to mark the formal start of impeachment proceedings against Duterte, setting the tone for succeeding hearings scheduled in April.
