MANILA — The House Committee on Justice will start evaluating four impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte on March 2, just two days after former President Rodrigo Duterte concludes his week-long International Criminal Court (ICC) hearing, House Committee Chair Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro announced on Tuesday.

The initial hearings, set to run until March 4, will focus solely on determining whether the complaints are sufficient in form and substance. Luistro said the committee may continue deliberations even during the congressional recess leading up to the session adjournment on March 20.

The preliminary hearings will assess each complaint individually, meaning some could be dismissed while others move forward. If a complaint passes this stage, Duterte will have 10 calendar days to respond, and the complainants will have three days to reply.

“Kung dadating siya, it means that she is exercising her right to due process. Otherwise, that only means that she is waiving her right to be present during the hearing,” Luistro said.

Should probable cause be found, multiple complaints may be consolidated for subsequent hearings, which will involve detailed evidence review and the possible summoning of Duterte. Attendance, however, remains Duterte’s choice under her right to due process.

Luistro noted that Duterte’s case could be more complex than President Bongbong Marcos’ impeachment attempt, which concluded in just three hearings, because Duterte faces four separate complaints with longer allegations and evidence lists. “Ultimately, kung mahaba o hindi ang proceeding nito, it will depend first kung papasa siya sa standard ng form and substance. Kung papasa siya sa standard ng form and substance, then possibly mahaba ang magiging procedure,” she added.

The four complaints were filed between February 2 and February 18. The first two, submitted by progressive groups and marginalized sectors, were endorsed by the Makabayan bloc, and Representatives Leila de Lima and Perci Cendaña. The third, filed by lawyers and church leaders, also received de Lima’s endorsement. The fourth, filed by Nathaniel Cabrera, was backed by Representatives Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. and Deputy Speaker Francisco Paolo Ortega V.

Duterte faces allegations of corruption involving P612.5 million in confidential funds, fictitious names in acknowledgment receipts, bribery in the Department of Education, and unexplained wealth in her statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth (SALN). She is also accused of conspiring to commit murder by issuing death threats against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Most of the complaints rely on official records from the Commission on Audit, the Philippine Statistics Authority, congressional hearings, and the sworn testimony of former aide Ramil Madriaga, who admitted delivering confidential funds to Duterte’s security personnel.