MANILA – The House Committee on Justice will hold initial hearings on the impeachment complaints filed against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., with the chief complainants and the respondent given the opportunity to present their statements and evidence.

Justice committee chair Rep. Gerville “Jinkybitrics” Luistro (Batangas, 2nd District) said on Tuesday, January 27, that the president’s participation is part of his right to due process. However, she added that choosing not to attend would be considered a waiver of his right to be present.

“Kung hindi dumating ang respondent, it is actually his prerogative whether to come or not to come because. … If he will choose not to come, that will be interpreted as a waiver of his right to be present during the hearing,” Luistro told reporters.

The panel is set to hold its first hearings in the first week of February to determine whether the complaints are sufficient in form and substance. The committee will first consolidate the two complaints before evaluating the merits of the allegations.

Hearings are tentatively scheduled for February 2, 3, and 4. Additional hearings may be scheduled if needed for the panel’s assessment.

Luistro explained that sufficiency in form refers to compliance with filing requirements, including signatures, verification, and endorsement by at least one House member. Once form is satisfied, the committee will evaluate sufficiency in substance, which examines whether the allegations substantiate the grounds for impeachment.

During these committee-level hearings, both the complainants and the respondent may submit affidavits and other evidence for review.

If the complaints are found sufficient in form and substance, the panel will submit a report to the plenary for voting. A one-third vote of all House members is required to proceed to trial, while the plenary may also overturn the committee’s recommendation with a one-third vote.

Since the complaints have been referred to the justice committee, the impeachment proceedings are considered initiated, triggering the one-year bar rule, which prevents filing of other impeachment complaints against the president during this period.

The complaints accuse Marcos of involvement in alleged budget insertions and a kickback scheme tied to infrastructure projects, claiming that he benefited from the scheme and abused authority over the use of unprogrammed appropriations.

Under House rules, the justice committee has 60 session days to complete hearings and submit a committee report to the plenary.