House Justice chair says panel ready to receive Marcos impeachment complaint

Batangas Second District Rep. Gerville Luistro, chair of the House Justice Committee, said the panel is ready to receive the impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. once it is included in the order of business.

Luistro said the case differs from previous impeachment complaints because it was filed by a private individual and sponsored by a House member.

"So that is the case, this is not actually the rule which is the subject matter of the court pertaining to an impeachment complaint filed by at least 1/3 of the house members," Luistro said in an ambush interview at the House of Representatives.

She said discussions would cover the impeachment complaint, its process, and the applicable rules, including referral to the Justice Committee and the roles of individual judgment and official information related to the impeachment against the President.

“Nonetheless, I was able to hear some information from my colleagues regarding this impeachment complaint. And if this is official already, as soon as it is included in the order of business and down to be referred to the Justice Committee, rest assured that the Justice Committee is ready to receive impeachment,” Luistro said.

Asked whether the Supreme Court ruling on the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte would apply, Luistro reiterated that the complaint against the President is different in nature.

“Well, the feedback that I got is it is filed by a private individual and sponsored by a house member. So if that is the case, this is not actually the rule which is the subject matter of the impeachment of this court. Yung naging subject matter po ng court pertains to an impeachment complaint filed by at least 1/3 of the house members. This one is different,” she said.

Luistro said that based on feedback, the complaint would be referred by the plenary to the Justice Committee for the initiation process.

She added that she sought confirmation from the Office of the Secretary General, headed by Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil, noting that once approved, the complaint should be included in the order of business and received by the House Speaker.

“As far as I can recall what is provided under the rules from the office of Secretary, it has to be referred to the office of the speaker immediately. And then there is provided a period of 10 days from the office of the speaker to the plenary. And then as far as I can recall also three session days for referral to the Justice Committee where the Justice Committee is expected of course to conduct hearing to see the sufficiency in form and substance of the impeachment,” Luistro said.

Luistro said the timing of the impeachment proceedings would depend on the Office of the Secretary General, noting that the House resumes session on 26 January.

“But of course it is all up to the office of the Secretary General. Uh we are not in in the proper position to comment on that. We will be acting on the impeachment complaint in our capacity as the chair as soon as it is referred to us,” she said.

She added that under House rules, the process allows up to 10 session days after referral to the Speaker.

Luistro said an official statement would be issued once the committee receives formal notice of the impeachment complaint.