House panel approves report finalizing Sara Duterte impeachment case

MANILA, Philippines – The House justice committee approved its report containing the resolution setting forth the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, May 4. 

A total of 55 lawmakers voted in favor of the report, with no objections. The committee only has 39 members, but deputy speakers, deputy majority and minority leaders, as well as lawmakers deputized by the rules committee, are allowed to cast their vote. 

The panel already voted last week in favor of motions finding probable cause in the two separate complaints against Duterte, so Monday’s proceedings are considered a matter of formality — a standard operating procedure before the committee’s findings are elevated to the plenary.

Fifty-three lawmakers voted in favor of the complaints last week.

After the committee approves the report, the panel will transmit it to the plenary, which will then deliberate on the matter.

House committee chairperson Jinky Luistro previously said a plenary vote may be held as early as May 11, giving lawmakers a week to study the draft impeachment articles.

Duterte is accused of misusing public funds, amassing ill-gotten wealth, and making death threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. She and her legal team snubbed all four committee hearings, issuing public statements and holding press conferences outside Congress, while offering general denials of the allegations raised in Congress.

Watch the video here. – Rappler.com