House Committee on Justice chair Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro on Saturday denied allegations that members of the House of Representatives were being offered cash, additional maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE), and government projects in exchange for supporting the impeachment of Sara Duterte.
Speaking during the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, Luistro said she had not encountered any attempt to influence lawmakers involved in the impeachment proceedings.
“Of course, I can speak for myself only and I deny that pronouncement of Senator Imee with all due respect to her. Wala po akong na-encounter na ganyan,” Luistro said.
“I deny that as well in as far as I am concerned, wala po tayong naririnig, na-e-encounter na ganyan. As a matter of fact, wala pong kumausap sa akin regarding this impeachment process since Day 1 of our proceeding in the Justice Committee,” she added.
Imee Marcos earlier raised allegations
Luistro was responding to claims made by Imee Marcos, who earlier alleged that lawmakers were supposedly being offered incentives to vote in favor of Duterte’s impeachment.
According to Marcos, the alleged package included:
- ₱5 million in cash
- an additional ₱3 million in monthly MOOE
- and ₱150 million worth of projects
Marcos also claimed lawmakers who voted against impeachment risked losing budget allocations and facing possible charges.
Luistro rejected those allegations.
“Just for the record, similarly, I deny that statement,” she said.
Focus remains on impeachment proceedings
Luistro said the House Committee on Justice spent the past two months focused solely on handling the impeachment proceedings and preparing its committee report.
“The task on defending the committee report before the plenary is really tough. So instead of focusing on the baseless statements of the people around, I would rather focus on how am I going to deliver my report to the plenary,” she said.
Luistro also rejects Duterte’s claims
The House justice chair also dismissed Duterte’s earlier insinuation that lawmakers backing the impeachment complaint were motivated by money.
Duterte previously claimed that many people were “making money” using her name and expressed hope that funds allegedly carried in “pockets or suitcases” would instead benefit constituents.
“Similar answer to that. I deny that. Wala po tayong na-encounter ng mga ganyang offer,” Luistro said.
“As a matter of fact, we consumed two months in the Justice Committee. Wala pong kumausap sa akin, nag-alok sa akin, nanakot sa akin. I deny the statement of the Vice President,” she added.