THE JUSTICE committee of the House of Representatives aims to begin hearing three impeachment complaints — the two against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes A. Sereno and one against Commission on Elections Chairman Andres D. Bautista — next week, said Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo V. Umali, chair of the panel. On Thursday, Sept. 7, the complaints were referred in plenary by the rules committee to the justice panel, signaling that the complaints have been initiated and the one-year ban against the filing of more than one impeachment complaint against the same official begins. “We have 60 session days to complete our task of initiating these impeachment cases. Sabay na ang mga kasong ito na gugulong (We will tackle these cases together),” Mr. Umali said. Since plenary deliberation will end on Tuesday next week, Mr. Umali added that the hearings could begin on Wednesday, Sept. 13. The panel would schedule separate days for the two officials. The committee will determine whether the complaints are sufficient in form and in substance. If found sufficient in form and substance, the two complaints against Ms. Sereno would be consolidated. — interaksyon.com

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