Batangas: Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro on Thursday rejected allegations by Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte that members of the House of Representatives Committee on Justice were being pressured to back the impeachment of his sister, Vice President Sara Duterte. In a televised interview, the justice panel chair said no such attempts reached her office and maintained that the proceedings were conducted independently.

According to Philippines News Agency, Luistro emphasized that she had not encountered any external influence regarding the impeachment process. "In as far as I am concerned, I beg to disagree with that. Wala po akong na-encounter na tumatawag na sinuman maging sa akin o sa aking chief of staff (I have not encountered any calls from anyone, for me or my chief of staff) concerning the support to this impeachment process," Luistro stated. She insisted that the panel acted solely on evidence and within its constitutional role.

Luistro made it clear that the committee's proceedings were akin to a preliminary investigation focused on evidence, and they did not take sides. "And I wish to add that in my capacity as chair, we cannot stand for either party. We stood for the process," she said. During the clarificatory hearing, the committee remained impartial and independent, acting as investigators.

The primary task of the committee, according to Luistro, was to determine whether probable cause exists based on the records. "The mandate is very simple: to determine whether or not probable cause exists," she reiterated. Her remarks came amidst growing rhetoric from Duterte allies suggesting that some lawmakers' staff members were being contacted to influence their positions on the impeachment.

On Wednesday, the committee found probable cause to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte on two complaints, with 53 lawmakers unanimously supporting each, moving the case to plenary. Luistro confirmed that the committee's stance was based on evidence presented, dismissing any suggestions of external influence. "After the voting yesterday (Wednesday), nanalo na ang probable cause (probable cause won), as a matter of fact, it was a unanimous vote. Now, I can officially say that the Justice Committee has a stand, and the stand is for the probable cause," she concluded.