Manila 6th District Rep. Benny Abante claimed that House proceedings on the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte are centered on gathering evidence, not securing a conviction.
Speaking on ONE News “The Big One” on Friday, Abante, the lead endorser of the fourth impeachment complaint against Duterte, maintained the process is impartial.
“We are not there to convict her or tell her she is guilty. We are just there to find evidence,” Abante said, outlining the role of the House Committee on Justice as it continues deliberations on the complaints.
The panel has started formal deliberations, marking the beginning of a process in which lawmakers determine whether the complaints meet constitutional standards before any case can proceed. At this stage, the committee reviews documents, hears testimonies and builds the factual record required under impeachment rules.
Multiple complaints have been filed against Duterte, prompting the committee to consolidate and examine them as part of its initial proceedings. The process is meant to determine whether there is sufficient basis to move forward, with each step requiring scrutiny of the evidence presented before lawmakers.
Duterte remains at the center of the proceedings and has maintained that the allegations against her will be addressed through the proper legal process. Her camp has indicated readiness to respond within the framework of the law as the hearings continue.
Abante also urged Duterte to appear before the panel and testify under oath, stressing that her direct participation would help provide a clearer presentation of facts as the committee carries out its mandate.
The fourth impeachment complaint against Duterte centers on allegations that she failed to fully disclose assets in her Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALNs). The complaint was filed by lawyer Nathaniel Cabrera and endorsed by Abante.
