MANILA – The House Committee on Justice said it has yet to receive any indication from the camp of Vice President Sara Duterte regarding her possible attendance at the upcoming impeachment hearing.

Committee chair Gerville Luistro said she remains hopeful that Duterte will appear and respond to the allegations raised against her.

“Wala tayong nare-receive about the possibility of the Vice President attending our hearing tomorrow. But again, we are still hopeful kasi sabi ko nga, ang tagal na nitong mga katanungan na to, questions on the confidential fund, questions on the threat committed against the President, questions on unexplained wealth, I think it’s about time na marinig na ng taong bayan ang kasagutan ng ating bise presidente,” Luistro said in an interview.

“It’s actually her choice whether to come or not,” she added.

Luistro said draft rules for the hearing—still under discussion—limit participation to committee members, complainants, the respondent, and their respective witnesses. She stressed that direct and cross-examinations will be conducted exclusively by members of the justice panel, while lawyers may only assist their clients.

“We just need to emphasize na for purposes of our hearing proper, the direct examination and the cross-examination are exclusive for the Justice members. At kagaya ng nasabi ko before, if ever the lawyers will be allowed to participate, the same are limited to assisting their respective clients,” she said.

Luistro warned that if Duterte chooses not to attend, she may lose the opportunity to present evidence and challenge the claims against her.

“Paano kung hindi dumating si VP, our respondent? Then they will not be able to present their evidence, their witnesses to counter the allegations of offenses and grounds,” she said.

“Yung scenario doon sa determination of sufficiency in grounds, kung hindi darating ang Bise Presidente sa hearing proper, it is almost the same… And it will be, should I say, to the disadvantage of the vice president. Sayang yung opportunity na puwede niya sana i-question yung evidence na ilalatag ng complainants,” she added.

On whether Duterte can submit evidence through legal counsel without personally attending, Luistro said the matter would still need consensus from committee members.

“It needs to be presented kasi how are we going to understand if this evidence will just be sent? How would we know para saan bang offense or ground are these evidence being submitted,” she said.

Luistro said the vice president may still attend future hearings even if she skips the initial session.

“Yes. Actually, hanggat hindi natatapos yung hearing proper, we will keep on sending invitation to her so that at any point of the entire hearing proper, she can actually come,” she said.

She also denied any external pressure influencing the panel’s proceedings.

“To be honest, wala talaga eh… Qala tayong nararamdaman, naririnig, o nae-experience na pressure about this impeachment proceeding,” she said.

Last week, Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco filed a resolution urging the committee to expedite the impeachment process so the House of Representatives of the Philippines can focus on legislative measures addressing the Middle East crisis.

Luistro said the panel remains committed to avoiding delays but will strictly follow impeachment rules.

MANILA – The House Committee on Justice said it has yet to receive any indication from the camp of Vice President Sara Duterte regarding her possible attendance at the upcoming impeachment hearing.

Committee chair Gerville Luistro said she remains hopeful that Duterte will appear and respond to the allegations raised against her.

“Wala tayong nare-receive about the possibility of the Vice President attending our hearing tomorrow. But again, we are still hopeful kasi sabi ko nga, ang tagal na nitong mga katanungan na to, questions on the confidential fund, questions on the threat committed against the President, questions on unexplained wealth, I think it’s about time na marinig na ng taong bayan ang kasagutan ng ating bise presidente,” Luistro said in an interview.

“It’s actually her choice whether to come or not,” she added.

Luistro said draft rules for the hearing—still under discussion—limit participation to committee members, complainants, the respondent, and their respective witnesses. She stressed that direct and cross-examinations will be conducted exclusively by members of the justice panel, while lawyers may only assist their clients.

“We just need to emphasize na for purposes of our hearing proper, the direct examination and the cross-examination are exclusive for the Justice members. At kagaya ng nasabi ko before, if ever the lawyers will be allowed to participate, the same are limited to assisting their respective clients,” she said.

Luistro warned that if Duterte chooses not to attend, she may lose the opportunity to present evidence and challenge the claims against her.

“Paano kung hindi dumating si VP, our respondent? Then they will not be able to present their evidence, their witnesses to counter the allegations of offenses and grounds,” she said.

“Yung scenario doon sa determination of sufficiency in grounds, kung hindi darating ang Bise Presidente sa hearing proper, it is almost the same… And it will be, should I say, to the disadvantage of the vice president. Sayang yung opportunity na puwede niya sana i-question yung evidence na ilalatag ng complainants,” she added.

On whether Duterte can submit evidence through legal counsel without personally attending, Luistro said the matter would still need consensus from committee members.

“It needs to be presented kasi how are we going to understand if this evidence will just be sent? How would we know para saan bang offense or ground are these evidence being submitted,” she said.

Luistro said the vice president may still attend future hearings even if she skips the initial session.

“Yes. Actually, hanggat hindi natatapos yung hearing proper, we will keep on sending invitation to her so that at any point of the entire hearing proper, she can actually come,” she said.

She also denied any external pressure influencing the panel’s proceedings.

“To be honest, wala talaga eh… Qala tayong nararamdaman, naririnig, o nae-experience na pressure about this impeachment proceeding,” she said.

Last week, Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco filed a resolution urging the committee to expedite the impeachment process so the House of Representatives of the Philippines can focus on legislative measures addressing the Middle East crisis.

Luistro said the panel remains committed to avoiding delays but will strictly follow impeachment rules.