By Zaldy De Layola
MANILA – The House Committee on Justice on Monday directed Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla to appear before the panel and submit official records of Vice President Sara Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs) as part of the ongoing impeachment proceedings.
The directive is contained in a “subpoena testificandum et duces tecum” issued by the panel asking Remulla to attend the hearing on April 14 at 10 a.m. at the House of Representatives in Quezon City.
The subpoena requires the submission of “Certified True Copies of the Statement of Assets and Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN) of Vice President Sara Zimmerman Duterte for the years 2022 – 2025 inclusive, 2007 – 2013 inclusive, and 2016 – 2022 inclusive.”
In a separate statement, the House Justice panel, chaired by Batangas 2nd District Gerville Luistro, said the documents are sought “for the Committee to be apprised of the assets, liabilities and net worth declared by Vice President Sara Z. Duterte from the time she started public service until the present.”
The directive was issued in connection with the verified impeachment complaints filed by Rev. Father Joel Saballa and others, endorsed by Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima; as well as a separate complaint by lawyer Nathaniel Cabrera and endorsed by Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. and Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V of La Union.
The subpoena, dated March 31, bore the authority of Luistro and Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, with attestation from Secretary General Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil.
On March 26, Remulla said his office is willing to comply with the subpoena issued by the House.
“It’s part of the constitutional process that we have. It’s the legal process. And we just abide by the rules and the law when it comes to impeachment proceedings. Susunod lang tayo sa batas (We will just follow the law),” Remulla said. (PNA)
