MANILA — The House Committee on Justice on Wednesday expressed formal support for four of its members who were named in a criminal complaint filed by Atty. Manases Carpio, husband of Vice President Sara Duterte.

During the continuation of the impeachment proceedings against Duterte, Manila Rep. Joel Chua moved for the adoption of a collective manifestation backing Batangas Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro, Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, and Akbayan Reps. Perci Cendaña and Chel Diokno.

“I would like to make a manifestation of support to the four members of this committee. Alam po ninyo meron po tayong tinatawag na immunity, parliamentary immunity sa atin pong Saligang Batas. Ito po ay ginagawa lamang po ng mga kasama natin ang kanilang tungkulin,” Chua said.

“With that manifestation, I move that we adopt this manifestation as a common sentiment of all the members of the committee, this manifestation of support. I so move Madam Chair.”

The motion was seconded by Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V and approved without objection, making it the committee’s official position.

“There is a motion to adopt the manifestation of support of the Honorable Chua as manifestation of the entire committee. The same has been seconded by the Honorable D.S. Paulo Ortega. Is there any objection? Hearing none, the motion is approved,” Luistro said.

The development came as the panel resumed hearings amid mounting legal actions linked to the impeachment inquiry involving Vice President Sara Duterte, with her camp filing complaints against some lawmakers after the release and discussion of Anti-Money Laundering Council-related records.

Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña said the complaint was intended to intimidate committee members, claiming it followed the emergence of what he described as questionable financial records.

He added that the core issue remains the documents presented before the panel and the financial transactions under scrutiny.

Akbayan Rep. Chel Diokno said the complaint lacked legal basis, stressing that the committee’s actions were protected under the Constitution.

“Wala po kaming nilabag na batas, puro legal ang ginawa po namin. Kaya po mismo sa Konstitusyon nakalagay… ‘no member shall be questioned nor be held liable in any other place for any speech or debate in the Congress or in any committee thereof,’” Diokno said.

De Lima described the complaint as part of a broader attempt to divert attention from the impeachment proceedings.

“Pagkatapos na nagsampa sila ng tatlo o apat na petisyon before the Supreme Court and then meron din kaso before the Regional Trial Court. So ito na naman, criminal case. Ito po ay panglilihis sa issue,” she said.