Expect the House Committee on Justice to move toward the presentation of evidence and witnesses in Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment case when it starts the "hearings proper" stage tomorrow, Wednesday, March 25.

Chaired by Batangas 2nd district Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro, the committee will convene at 10 a.m. at the People’s Center, House of Representatives, where it is set to lay down ground rules, tackle key motions, and initiate hearings on the complaints ahead of the evidentiary phase.

Under the agenda, the panel will proceed to the initial hearing on the two remaining impeachment complaints, which were the third and fourth impeachment complaints lodged against the Vice President.

The third complaint was filed by Father Joel Saballa and endorsed by Mamamayang Liberal (ML ) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima, while the fourth complaint was filed by lawyer Nathaniel Cabrera and endorsed by Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. and Deputy Speaker La Union 1st district Rep. Paolo Ortega V.

The justice panel will also act on pending motions, including requests for the issuance of subpoenas for documents.

Also up for resolution is the petition to place under the panel’s custody a key witness, the detained Ramil Madriaga, who claims to be a former “bagman” of the Vice President. To be resovled as well as is the issue of alleged conflict of interest involving two members of Duterte’s legal team--lawyers Michael Poa and Reynold Munsayac--who may also be considered witnesses.

Luistro said the panel is prepared to move swiftly into the evidentiary phase once these matters are resolved. “If the complainants are ready, we can actually proceed to presentation of evidence and witnesses."

“Prosecutors kami dito. So, ang mga justice members ang mag-aaral ng lahat ng ebidensyang ilalatag ng complainant at ng respondent (We are the prosecutors here. So, the members of the justice panel will study all the evidence presented by both the complainant and the respondent),” she underscored.

Luistro emphasized that the proceedings will remain strictly rules-based, with only committee members allowed to conduct cross-examination of witnesses.

The hearing proper follows the committee’s finding of sufficient grounds with the two remaining impeachment complaints earlier this month.

The complaints cite allegations of misuse of P612.5 million worth of confidential and intelligence funds, unexplained wealth, violations of Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) requirements, bribery, and an death alleged threat against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez.

The justice panel was authorized by the House plenary to continue its proceedings even during the ongoing congressional recess.

It has set subsequent hearing dates on April 14, April 22, and April 29, where the panel is expected to continue receiving evidence and testimonies from both sides.

Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, a member of the justice panel, said that the proceedings were anchored on evidence and official findings. He rejected claims that the complaints were speculative.

“But we have to be very clear—everything that has been discussed previously are not based on speculation, these are based on evidence. Hindi ho totoo na (It is not true that) all of these are based on conjecture,” he said.

Vice President Duterte was formally invited to attend the hearing, but her camp has yet to confirm whether or not she will appear.

The respondent's defense team earlier said there was no requirement under existing rules for her to personally attend. It added that any decision will depend on her rights and legal advice.

At any rate, Luistro said that the committee would "keep its doors open for Duterte".

“Hangga’t hindi nakatapos ‘yung hearing proper (While the hearing proper is ongoing), we will keep on sending invitation to her so that at any point of the entire hearing proper she can actually come,” she added.

According to the Batangueña, the proceedings are designed to ensure that the respondent is given ample opportunity to present her side and challenge the accusations.

"This is a significant opportunity for her to challenge the complaint...If you’re claiming innocence, you should take advantage of all opportunity to prove your innocence,” Luistro said.

She pointed out that the questions surrounding the Vice President—ranging from the use of confidential funds to the threats against members of the first family—have been lingering for years and deserve answers.

“I think it’s about time na marinig na ng taong bayan ang kasagutan ng ating Vice President (I think it's about time that the people hear the answers of our Vice President),” Luistro said.

Practically the allegations were raised in the very first impeachment complaint lodged against Vice President Duterte in December 2024, during the tail end of the previous 19th Congress.

The eventual impeachment case against Duterte in 2025--which prospored in the House of Representatives.via the fast-track mode--was never scrutinized by a Senate impeachment court. The Supreme Court (SC) ultimately declared the complaint unconstitutional due to a technicality.

With the hearings proper stage set to begin this year, the proceedings are expected to determine whether sufficient basis exists to establish probable cause and eventually elevate the case to a full impeachment trial in the Senate.