House Justice Committee Chairperson Gerville Luistro has clarified that the ongoing impeachment hearings are not intended to shame or embarrass Vice President Sara Duterte. Instead, he emphasized that these proceedings are a crucial part of the constitutional process designed to determine whether there is probable cause in the complaint filed against her.
Constitutional Mechanism for Accountability
According to Luistro, the committee's duty is to conduct clarificatory hearings and, if necessary, use subpoenas to thoroughly examine the evidence presented. He stressed that this stage is not a full trial but rather a preliminary phase of the impeachment process. This approach ensures that all facts are carefully reviewed before any further steps are taken.
Next Steps in the Impeachment Process
If the committee finds sufficient grounds in the evidence, the complaint will be submitted to the plenary of the House of Representatives. From there, it could potentially be passed to the Senate for an impeachment trial. However, if the committee decides to dismiss the complaint, the plenary still has the authority to approve or reverse this decision, maintaining a system of checks and balances.
Luistro highlighted that impeachment serves as a vital constitutional mechanism for holding public officials accountable within a democratic framework. He reiterated that the hearings are procedural and fact-finding in nature, aimed at upholding the rule of law rather than targeting individuals personally.
