Batangas Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro – Photo courtesy of Congresswoman Atty. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro/Facebook.
Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said on Tuesday that she has not experienced any pressure from either the House leadership or Vice President Sara Duterte’s camp in handling the impeachment proceedings.
Luistro, who chairs the House committee on justice, said her earlier remarks urging lawmakers to remain fearless were prompted by discussions circulating on social media, not by direct influence from any group.
She noted that while claims of pressure have been widely discussed online and among lawmakers informally, she has neither personally encountered nor received any attempt to sway the committee’s direction.
Luistro emphasized that members of the House must remain guided by their constitutional mandate and serve the interests of the Filipino people rather than any political figure or group.
She added that the panel must uphold independence, impartiality and integrity as it evaluates the complaints against Duterte.
Responding to claims that projects could be used to influence lawmakers, Luistro said she has no knowledge of such allegations and has not observed any related actions.
The committee is set to begin formal hearings on the remaining impeachment complaints on March 25 after earlier determining that the allegations are sufficient in substance.
Luistro said the panel will address procedural matters, including motions related to evidence and witnesses, as it proceeds with the hearings, even as it remains uncertain whether Duterte will personally attend.
