House of Representatives members from the Duterte family, like their co-lawmakers, can participate in the plenary debates on the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, according to House Committee on Justice chair and Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro.

She made the clarification when asked whether Davao City Reps. Paolo Duterte of the First District and Omar Vincent Sangkola Duterte of the Second District, as well as PPP Party-list Rep. Harold Duterte, would be allowed to participate in plenary discussions.

“Well, there will be debates after the sponsorship speech. And I think everybody will be given the opportunity to participate in the debate,” Luistro said during the Saturday News Forum in Quezon City.

On the matter of allowing members to explain their votes, Luistro said “this will be left to the Rules Committee depending on how many lawmakers who will intend to speak.”

“I’m quite sure about that, the interpellation. But with respect to the explanation of vote, siguro iko-consider din ang rules kung ilan ang (perhaps the rules will have to be considered also on how many) House members who are interested to explain their vote,” she added.

While the right to explain one’s vote is available to House members, Luistro noted that those who wish to challenge the findings may be better heard during the interpellations, where the Justice Committee can respond directly to their arguments and where the public can follow the exchange more clearly.

“Perhaps if they wish to participate, it’s better to participate in the interpellations so that the Filipino people will hear their arguments, which the Justice Committee will definitely respond [to],” she said.

Luistro said Monday’s plenary session would be the first time she would publicly discuss the committee report and the Articles of Impeachment before the full membership of the House. (Zaldy de Layola/PNA)