The House Committee on Justice on Wednesday opened the 3rd session of the impeachment hearing filed against Vice President Sara Duterte, with the panel chair emphasizing reliance on documentary evidence and financial records as the proceedings continued.
Committee chair Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” R. Luistro of Batangas’ 2nd District said the hearing would focus on what he described as “forensic truth” derived from records and figures, especially in the absence of the vice president, who did not attend the session.
“Kung ayaw humarap ng bise presidente, hayaan natin na ang mga numero ang magkwento,” Luistro said.
“Sa hearing na ito we shall therefore enter the territory of forensic truth sa pamamagitan ng mga numerong ito,” she added.
Luistro said the panel would proceed by following evidence “wherever it leads,” stressing that the inquiry would not be driven by public rhetoric but by constitutional process and documented data.
She noted the vice president’s empty seat at the hearing, saying the absence had become a recurring scene in the proceedings. Despite this, She said the committee remained focused on unanswered questions surrounding the allegations.
“We follow the evidence wherever it leads. Hindi tayo magpapadala sa ingay. Hindi tayo lilihis sa proseso. Ang ating sandigan ay ang konstitusyon at ang ang ating layunin ay ang katotohanan.”
Without directly addressing specific claims in detail, Luistro framed the inquiry as an effort to determine whether Duterte’s actions reflected those of a public servant or suggested private financial interests, adding that conclusions would be based strictly on evidence presented before the panel.
She reiterated that the committee would proceed without distraction, underscoring that the objective of the proceedings was to establish facts based on records rather than public noise or political pressure.
“Let the evidence speak, let the numbers testify. Let the chips fall where they may be.”
The impeachment process against Duterte remains ongoing at the House level, with further hearings expected in the coming weeks.
