MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers in the House of Representatives said Vice President Sara Duterte risks waiving her right to refute allegations if she fails to attend impeachment clarificatory hearings, as proceedings continue ahead of the next session on April 14.
Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores, vice chairman of the House Committee on Justice, said non-appearance by the respondent may be considered a waiver of the right to be heard, provided that an opportunity to participate was given. He said due process depends on whether the respondent received the opportunity, not on whether it was exercised.
Flores issued the statement after Duterte’s camp skipped a recent hearing while continuing to question the legitimacy of the proceedings outside the committee.
Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, another member of the committee, said Duterte’s camp cannot invoke rulings of the Supreme Court of the Philippines on due process while rejecting the House proceedings. He said the hearings aim to comply with the court’s directive to observe due process in impeachment cases.
Adiong cited a previous decision penned by Marvic Leonen, which outlined procedures the House must follow in impeachment complaints. He said the House adjusted its process to ensure compliance and to provide the respondent with the opportunity to respond to allegations.
He added that the House is no longer proceeding directly to plenary deliberations and is instead conducting hearings to address due process concerns raised before the high court.