Despite the Senate’s decision to return the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte to the House of Representatives, House Prosecutor and Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro asserted that the case remains “very much active and alive.”
In a press briefing on Wednesday June 11, Luistro emphasized that the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, never dismissed or terminated the case.
“Considering that there are efforts to return, I humbly believe that the case is very much active and alive,” said Luistro.
“No less than the order of the Senate stated that the case is not dismissed, not terminated... Pending sa impeachment court,” she added.
Meanwhile, Luistro clarified that the lower chamber has already fulfilled its constitutional duty of initiating the impeachment case, and therefore cannot amend or withdraw the articles of impeachment.
“Tapos na po ang trabaho ng House of Representatives in as far as initiating the impeachment case is concerned. Hindi tama na ito ay aming amyendahan at lalong hindi tama na ito ay aming i-withdraw. As a matter of fact, the ball now is in the hands of the Senate,” Luistro stressed.
Luistro said it is "impossible" to comply with the Senate impeachment court’s request for a communication from the 20th Congress to resume the impeachment trial against Vice President Duterte.
She emphasized that the 20th Congress has yet to convene, rendering the request premature and procedurally improper.
“It is impossible to comply with that request because, first of all, the 20th Congress does not exist yet. We are still in the 19th Congress,” she said.
The House prosecution panel challenged the validity of the Senate’s directive, stating that it reflects a misunderstanding of the correct procedure and timeline for moving forward with the impeachment proceedings.
She added that the Senate's directive, which was addressed to the 20th Congress, could be seen as a recognition that the impeachment trial may proceed into the next congressional session.
“‘Yun pong kautusan nila na addressed sa 20th Congress is indeed an implied admission already that we can continue the impeachment trial until the 20th Congress,” she stated.
Moreover, Luistro reiterated that the Senate's 18–5 vote on Tuesday to return the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Duterte to the House should not be taken as an indication of how the Senate might ultimately rule on the case.
The lawmaker stressed that no evidence has been presented before the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, making any conclusions about the trial’s outcome premature.
"Until and unless we are done with the presentation of all the evidence I think that’s the time we begin to think ano kaya ang magiging boto ng ating mga Senators-Judges,” she said.
Of the 12 designated House prosecutors, eight were present during the press conference, including Lone District of San Juan City Rep. Ysabel Maria "Bel" Zamora, 3rd District of Manila Rep. Joel Chua, 2nd District of Batangas Rep. Gerville "Jinky Bitrics" Luistro, and 4Ps Party-list Rep. Marcelino "Nonoy" Libanan.
2nd District of Antipolo City (Rizal) Rep. Romeo M. Acop, Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Jose “Jil” R. Bongalon Jr., 1-Rider Party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez, and 2nd District of Bukidnon Rep. Jonathan Keith T. Flores were also present at the briefing.
