What to expect when the impeachment of VP Sara Duterte starts?
VP SARA DUTERTE IMPEACHMENT – What to expect at the start of the hearing as impeachment proceedings against her enter a more critical phase.
The House of Representatives’ Justice Committee recently ruled that the impeachment complaints against VP Sara are sufficient in grounds. Of the four complaints filed, two passed scrutiny in terms of substance and form.
Now, as the proceedings are about to enter a more critical stage, the proper hearing will start on March 25. According to House prosecutors, the hearing proper will focus on presenting evidence and resolving key issues related to the complaints.
Among the initial matters to be addressed are the custody of a key figure and possible conflicts of interest involving those in the proceedings.
“What’s gonna happen during the hearing proper will be the presentation of witnesses and evidence of the complainant to be followed by that of the respondent,” panel chairperson Gerville Luistro said on Friday.
However, there are still pending requests, petitions, and concerns that need to be threshed out before they can proceed with the presentation of evidence and witness. Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno encouraged the panel to take custody of Ramil Madriaga to ensure that he is safe and available to testify.
To recall, Madriaga claimed that he used to be the bagman of the vice president, which the latter has, later on, denied. He is currently detained in a jail facility in Taguig City for alleged kidnapping.
Meanwhile, Terry Ridon raised concerns over a possible conflict of interest involving two of Sara Duterte’s lawyers, Reynold Munsayac and Michael Poa. Ridon pointed out that Poa had worked closely with Duterte on high-level matters, while Munsayac previously served as Assistant Secretary for Procurement.
Luistro said the presentation of evidence is expected to begin on April 14, depending on the readiness of the complainants.
Meanwhile, here are the grounds raised under the said complaint:
Alleged culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust in committing acts of political destabilization and the high crimes of sedition and insurrection
- Alleged culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes in amassing and converting the amount over PHP 500 million of confidential funds (CF) allocated to the Office of the Vice President from 2022 to 2023
- Alleged culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes in amassing and converting the amount of not less than PHP 112.5 million of confidential funds allocated to the Department of Education (DepEd) for the year 2023
- Alleged culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust by corrupting and bribing officials of the DepEd
- Alleged culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, and other high crimes in contracting to murder or assassinate the president, the first lady, and the former speaker of the House
- Alleged culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust in amassing unexplained wealth and failing to disclose all her properties and interests in properties in her SALN
- Alleged culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust in committing acts of political destabilization and the high crimes of sedition and insurrection
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