House justice panel 'to study' SC petition filed by Duterte allies to stop impeachment hearings

MANLA, Philippines — The House of Representatives' Committee on Justice said that it has "taken note" of the petition filed before the Supreme Court to stop its impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte. The group, led by Israelito Torreon, filed a petition for certiorari and prohibition at the Supreme Court on Friday, saying that the panel "overstepped its constitutional gatekeeping role by allowing defective complaints against Duterte to proceed and conducting subpoena-driven evidentiary proceedings that resemble a trial." In a statement on Saturday, Panel chairman and Batangas City Rep. Gerville Luistro said that they have not yet received or reviewed the actual petition filed by the camp of Torreon. "As with any legal pleading involving the institution, we will study it carefully once it is formally served, and we will respond through the proper legal processes," Luistro said. She, however stressed that the Constitution was "equally clear in vesting upon the House of Representatives the sole power to initiate impeachment cases," a responsibility that they do not take lightly and is "duty bound to carry out faithfully." "The ongoing proceedings in the House Committee on Justice are part of this constitutional process. They are designed to determine whether probable cause exists—not to determine guilt, and not to conduct a trial. That function belongs to the Senate,". Luistro said. She further reiterated that the hearings that were being undertaken was "anchored on due process, consistent with the Constitution, the Rules on Impeachment, and relevant jurisprudence." "The proceedings are open, orderly, and provide all parties the opportunity to be heard," Luistro said. Some members, meanwhile, described the move as a "diversionary tactic" designed to deflect from the proceedings. In a statement, Committee vice chairman and Manila Rep. Joel Chua said that the issues raised by Torreon's camp were "mere hallucinations". "We followed the due process guidelines the Supreme Court meticulously laid out in its two decisions on the previous Articles." Chua said. Bicol Saro Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon, meanwhile said that the petition "will not stop the resolve of the House Committee on Justice to exact accountability for the serious allegations against [Vice President Duterte],"

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