House Committee on Justice Chairperson Atty. Gerville “Jinky” Luistro on Tuesday emphasized that the panel’s hearings on the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte are not a “fishing expedition,” but a constitutional process to determine whether there is probable cause to proceed.

At the opening of the committee hearing, Luistro clarified that the panel’s role is limited to evaluating whether sufficient grounds exist to elevate the complaints to the Senate for trial.

“Hindi natin inaagaw ang kapangyarihan ng Senado na magpasya kung guilty o not guilty ang opisyal. At ano ang gumagabay sa atin, hindi lamang batas, kundi ang tiwala ng taumbayan,” Luistro said.

She reiterated the distinction of roles between the two chambers of Congress in impeachment proceedings.

“The House initiates, the Senate decides. Ang papel natin ay suriin at alamin kung may sapat na basehan para dalhin ang kaso sa Senado,” she added.

She further stressed that the proceedings are "not a trial" but a determination of whether there is sufficient basis to elevate the complaint to the Senate.

“Ang ginagawa natin dito ay hindi trial. Ang tanong lang natin, may sapat bang batayan para umusad ang proseso?” she said.

“This is merely the beginning, not the end of accountability mechanism. This committee, therefore, is not overstepping. We are not improvising. We are not experimenting. We are simply following the rules. Our rules grounded in the Constitution,” she said.

Luistro also rejected criticisms that the inquiry lacks direction.

“Hindi ito fishing expedition. Hindi ito bahala na si Batman. Hindi tayo nangangapa,” she said.

She further remarked that the issue could have been resolved earlier if the Vice President had addressed the allegations raised against her last year.