MANILA, Philippines – The House justice committee served Vice President Sara Duterte a notice to respond to the impeachment complaints against her within 10 days.

Duterte’s camp received the notice at 10:44 am on Thursday, March 5, based on the receiving copy of the House justice committee.

“Failure on your part to file the Verified Answer within the period herein provided shall be deemed a waiver of your right to file the same, and you shall be considered to have interposed a general denial to the allegations contained in the impeachment complaints,” the notice read.

It came a day after the committee declared two impeachment complaints against Duterte sufficient in substance.

These complaints were endorsed by ML Representative Leila de Lima, Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega, and House human rights committee chair Bienvenido Abante.

The petitions seek Duterte’s removal from office for various alleged offenses, such as misuse of confidential funds, bribery of education officials, apparent threats to the life of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family, and her supposed unexplained wealth.

After the 10-day period, there may be a series of back and forth between Duterte’s camp and the complainants on the filing of pleadings, affidavits, and counter-affidavits.

The committee will then determine if the two complaints allege sufficient grounds for impeachment. If they do, a public hearing will commence to examine the pieces of evidence and the witnesses.

The justice committee has 60 session days from February 23 to come up with a decision. If a simple majority approves the complaint, a committee report will be forwarded to the plenary. A one-third vote will pave the way for the transmittal of the articles of impeachment to the Senate, where a trial will be held.

If the impeachment bid fails at any stage, Duterte once again earns the constitutional one-year protection from impeachment. – Rappler.com