By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — House Committee on Justice Chairperson Gerville Luistro firmly denied allegations that members of the House of Representatives were being bribed or intimidated in connection with the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Speaking during the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City, Luistro rejected accusations raised by Senator Imee Marcos that lawmakers were allegedly being offered cash incentives, increased maintenance and operating funds, and government projects in exchange for supporting the impeachment complaint.
According to Luistro, she personally never witnessed nor heard of any such arrangement throughout the proceedings handled by the House justice panel.
She stressed that since the beginning of the committee hearings, no one had approached her with offers, threats, or attempts to influence her position regarding the impeachment case.
Marcos earlier alleged that lawmakers backing the impeachment could supposedly receive P5 million in cash, an additional P3 million in monthly MOOE, and as much as P150 million worth of projects. The senator also claimed that legislators opposing the complaint risked losing budget allocations and could even face legal cases.
Luistro, however, brushed off the accusations, maintaining that the committee remained focused solely on its constitutional duty and the preparation of the impeachment report for plenary deliberations.
She described the task of defending the committee report before Congress as difficult enough, saying she preferred concentrating on her work rather than responding to what she called unfounded claims surrounding the issue.
The lawmaker likewise denied Duterte’s earlier insinuation that some legislators supporting the impeachment process were motivated by money.
The Vice President previously suggested that certain individuals were profiting from the controversy involving her name, expressing hope that their constituents would at least benefit from the supposed funds allegedly being carried in “pockets or suitcases.”
Luistro reiterated that throughout the two-month proceedings at the House justice panel, she neither received offers nor experienced intimidation tied to the impeachment process.
ia/xf
