Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville “Jinky Britrics” Luistro, chairperson of the House Committee on Justice, said the panel is ready to handle impeachment complaints against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte.

Luistro said the committee’s 38 members are equipped with the skills, knowledge and background needed to process the two impeachment complaints.

Her statement comes as the Makabayan bloc, which endorsed one of the impeachment complaints filed against Marcos, also signaled plans to pursue a separate impeachment case against Duterte.

Luistro said that if an impeachment complaint against the vice president is filed by the Makabayan group and referred to the House Committee on Justice, the panel has no choice but to accept and evaluate it.

“So I am confident that we can hear both impeachment complaints using proper strategies. Under the rules, yes,” Luistro said.

She explained that acting on impeachment complaints is a constitutional mandate that does not depend on the committee’s preference, availability or discretion.

Luistro said the House Committee on Justice, which is tasked with hearing impeachment complaints against the president, will “act with utmost independence and impartiality” in handling the cases.

“I am expecting the entire justice committee to act with utmost independence and impartiality. The members of the House are expected to evaluate, assess and hear the impeachment complaint with utmost independence and impartiality,” she said.

The lawyer-lawmaker said the committee’s work is evidence-based and procedural, beginning with a determination of whether the complaints are sufficient in form and substance before any hearing on their merits.

Luistro added that the justice panel is guided by evidence and constitutional duty, not by public pronouncements or political pressure.

She also expressed confidence that the committee has the capacity to hear more than one impeachment case, if required under the Constitution, including cases involving different impeachable officials.