Metro Manila, Philippines – Lawmakers will tackle the controversial “kill” remarks of Vice President Sara Duterte against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the last impeachment hearing on Wednesday, April 29, along with a possible vote on the fate of the complaints.
The House justice committee has invited National Bureau of Investigation chief Melvin Matibag to submit the results of the probe on the threats issued by Duterte against the presidential family in 2024.
Duterte previously said at a midnight briefing that she hired someone to kill Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta, and his cousin Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, if she herself gets murdered.
Justice panel members will also vote on whether or not the committee will open the box containing the tax records of Duterte and her husband, Mans Carpio.
At the hearing on April 22, lawmakers decided to postpone the move on the couple’s tax records, in light of the statement of Bureau of Internal Revenue chief Charlito Mendoza that the documents should be examined in a closed-door session.
Batangas 2nd district Rep. Jinky Luistro, committee chairperson, told NewsWatch Plus that lawmakers are divided on disclosing BIR tax records.
“Definitely, i-re-resolve namin ito [we’re going to resolve this] because we cannot leave this hanging,” she said.
Meanwhile, Luistro said the committee may also vote on probable cause to move the complaints and send them to plenary.
She noted that she intends to submit the committee report to the plenary when session resumes on May 4.
The Duterte camp said the vice president and the legal team won’t participate in the House proceedings, in accordance with their petition questioning the legality of the impeachment hearing.
Duterte skipped the proceedings and chose to issue statements, as her defense team maintained they will face the Senate impeachment court.
The vice president is facing impeachment complaints for culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, bribery, and high crimes, among others over allegations of fund misuse, threats to the presidential family, and unexplained wealth.
