Batangas 2nd district Rep. Gerville "Jinky Bitrics" Luistro was as patient as ever when she explained to SAGIP Party-list Rep. Paolo Marcoleta in plenary Monday, May 11 that there's nothing wrong with holding impeachment proceedings during congressional break, in this case the annual summer recess.

Luistro, chairperson of the Committee on Justice, had just sponsored for adoption the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte when Marcoleta stood up to debate with her.

Citing what he believed was a technicality, Marcoleta questioned the validity of justice committee hearings on the impeachment that was carried out in late March and in mid-to-late April.

Marcoleta argued that the Constitution specifically referred to “session days” in setting the timetable for impeachment proceedings. With this he wondered, can justice panel legally hold hearings?

Luistro answered by invoking House Resolution (HR) No. 892, which expressly authorized the committee to continue impeachment proceedings and exercise ancillary powers during the recess from March 21 to May 3, 2026.

“Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, for purposes of our records, I am reading from the House Resolution No. 892,” Luistro said during plenary debates on Committee Report (CR) No. 261, which contained the articles of impeachment against Duterte.

“It is respectfully submitted, Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, that all the proceedings before the justice committee is within the ambit expressly provided by the House of Representatives in Resolution No. 892,” Luistro noted.

The Batangueña also stressed to her neophyte House colleague that the legislative process--i.e., making laws--followed a different set of rules from the impeachment process, although both are functions of Congress.

Senior Deputy Majority Leader Iloilo 3rd district Lorenz Defensor later reinforced the House leadership’s position, and said the impeachment proceedings against Duterte complied with House rules and constitutional due process because Congress had not adjourned sine die.

“Mr. Speaker, just to further assure the Hon. Marcoleta that everything was done in accordance with our rules and with due process, we did not adjourn sine die. We are still on our first regular session, that is why the plenary can authorize the committee to conduct their hearings if necessary,” he said.

Sine die adjournment marks the end of a regular session of Congress, while the summer break is simply a break or recess.

The House Committee on Justice earlier voted unanimously, 53-0, in finding probable cause to impeach Duterte and later approved, 55-0, the committee report and resolution setting forth the articles of impeachment for plenary consideration.

During the committee deliberations, Marcoleta was the lone solon who repeatedly questioned the procedures and asked for print out copies of the rules.

On late Monday afternoon, Senior Deputy Speaker South Cotabato 2nd district Rep. Ferdinand Hernandez, the presiding officer at that time, announced the adoption of the articles via nominal vote result of 257-25-9 (yes-no-abstain).

Vice President Duterte's conviction through impeachment trial is being sought over her offices' alleged misuse of P612.5 million worth of confidential funds; untruthful declarations in the filing of her statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth; unexplained wealth; and death threats to President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez.