Latest news with #Luistro
GMA Network
26-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
House prosecutor: Senate can't vote to dismiss VP Sara impeach case
Vice President Sara Duterte attends a legislative inquiry into her office's use of public funds at the House of Representatives in Quezon City, Philippines on November 25, 2024. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez An impeachment prosecutor of the House of Representatives on Thursday disagreed with the position of Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero that senator-judges can vote to dismiss the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte. Representative Gerville Luistro of Batangas' second district expressed her view after Escudero on Wednesday said the Senate impeachment court may vote on a motion to dismiss the articles should a member of the impeachment court make such a submission. "The Impeachment Court cannot dismiss the Articles of Impeachment," Luistro told GMA Integrated News. "The Constitution is clear. The power/function of the Impeachment Court is to try and to decide. Let us take note of the use of the word 'and,'" Luistro added. She also said both the prosecution and the defense panels must be given an opportunity to present their evidence. "Trial on the merits is mandatory. Ample opportunity to present evidence must be given both to the prosecution and the defense. Then and only then can the senator-judges decide whether to convict or to acquit," Luistro said. Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa had moved in the plenary for the dismissal of the Articles of Impeachment, but his motion was eventually amended that the complaint be returned to the House of Representatives pending a couple of certifications. Speaking at a press conference regarding the matter, Escudero said there is no prohibited motion and that senators cannot be stopped from making such a motion. As a collegial body, Escudero said, objections to motions are put to a vote. "Always by simple majority. Ang hindi lamang required ng simple majority [kasi] two-thirds ang kailangan kapag magbobotohan, iyong to, acquit or convict [an impeachable official under trial]," Escudero said. (The only case when a simple majority is not required is on deciding whether to convict or acquit the impeachable official, which requires two-thirds.) What the Charter provides Asked if there was any legal or constitutional basis for Escudero's statement, Luistro replied, "When the Constitution does not provide, we should not provide." For her part, ML Party-list Representative-elect Leila de Lima lashed out at Escudero's view on the issue. "May Chiz Escudero version na talaga ang 1987 Constitution. Ibang-iba sa original," De Lima said in an online post. (There's really a Chiz Escudero version of the 1987 Constitution. Totally different from the original.) De Lima is expected to join the House prosecution panel in the 20th Congress. 'Disservice' to Filipinos Meanwhile, House leaders said dismissing the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte without the presentation of evidence would be a disservice to the Filipino people by the Senate impeachment court. House Assistant Majority Leaders Ernesto "Ernix" Dionisio of Manila and Zia Adiong of Lanao del Sur made the assertion in response to Escudero's statement in a press conference on Thursday. "At the end of the day, ano ba 'yung basis ng motion to dismiss? Each senator should act as an impartial judge, whether or not they are in favor of the accused or not. Doon mo makikita na may pinapanigan agad kapag nagmo-motion to dismiss without hearing a piece or pieces of evidence. Wala pang pinipresentan, gusto na nilang i-dismiss," Dionisio said. (What is the basis of motion to dismiss to begin with? If a Senator-judge will make a motion to dismiss without hearing the pieces of evidence, then that senator-judge is clearly partial because he or she wants a dismissal without hearing the evidence.) "The people are watching, history will write itself now. We don't want to overstep, but it is our opinion that the impeachment is the best way to see whether or not guilty or not guilty after seeing the pieces of evidence," Dionisio added. Respect the Constitution On the other hand, Adiong said senator-judges should base their decision whether to convict or acquit an impeachable official on the merits of the complaint rather than dismissing it outright. "Kung may mga motion to dismiss, ang mga senator-judges, ako... I still maintain my optimism that they will decide based on the merits of the evidence. There are senators who have already prejudged the outcome or already have their own leanings, their own biases. [At] wala naman problema if they vote for either to convict or to acquit. Basta ang position lang po namin is to respect what the Constitution says and let the impeachment process proceed," Adiong said. (If the motion to dismiss will be put forward... there is no problem if a senator-judge wants to acquit or convict. However, we stand by our position that what the Constitution should be respected and let the impeachment process proceed.) Adiong was referring to Article XI Section 3.4 of the 1987 Constitution, which states that "in case the verified complaint or resolution of impeachment is filed by at least one-third of all the members of the House, the same shall constitute the Articles of Impeachment, and trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed." The impeachment complaint endorsed by over 200 lawmakers on February 5 accuses the Vice President of betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and other high crimes involving the alleged misuse of P612.5 million worth of confidential funds and threatening to kill President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., his wife Liza, and his cousin Speaker Martin Romualdez. A question of why With regard to the question of senator-judges dismissing the impeachment case outright, Adiong said, "It's not the question of can they do it? It's the question of why should they do it?" "There is a verified impeachment na complaint ang pinag-uusapan rito ay pera ng taong bayan (There is a verified impeachment complaint involving state funds), allegations that constitute high crimes, tantamount to betrayal of public trust, among others, laid down in the Constitution... The public deserves to know the truth, the public deserves to know kung saan napuntaha 'yung kanilang pera (The public deserves to know the truth, the public deserves to know where their money went)," Adiong added. The full presentation of evidence in an impeachment trial, Adiong said, will also allow justice to be served to the Vice President. "The only way for us to find out the truth and at the same time give due process to the defendant is to continue with the impeachment trial," Adiong said. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
25-06-2025
- General
- GMA Network
Pope Leo appoints Bro. Armin Luistro to key Vatican post
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Brother Armin Luistro, FSC, the Superior General of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, as one of the newest members of the Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life, the Vatican announced on June 24. The appointment places Luistro among a distinguished roster of cardinals, archbishops, bishops, and religious superiors from around the world entrusted with shaping the future of consecrated life within the Church. The Dicastery oversees matters concerning religious orders, congregations, and secular institutes, playing a crucial role in the promotion and regulation of consecrated and apostolic communities. For many in the global Lasallian community, the news was received with deep joy and pride. 'This appointment is a clear sign of the synodal path that we, as Lasallians, are called to walk in communion with the Church,' said the De La Salle Brothers in an official statement. "We extend our best wishes to Brother Armin in this new mission, trusting that his service will be a valuable contribution to the entire consecrated life of the Church.' Luistro, an educator and religious leader with more than 34 years of experience in the public and private sectors, is no stranger to transformative leadership. In 2022, he made history as the first Filipino to be elected Superior General of the De La Salle Brothers worldwide, becoming the 28th successor of St. John Baptist de La Salle. He began his religious life in 1979 while studying at De La Salle University (DLSU) and professed his final vows in 1988. His early years were spent as a teacher, counselor, and campus minister at De La Salle Lipa in Batangas. In the early 2000s, Luistro co-founded the De La Salle Catholic University in Manado, Indonesia—now De La Salle University-Indonesia—with Bishop Josef Suwatan. He served as president of DLSU Manila from 2004 to 2010 before being appointed secretary of the Department of Education under then-President Benigno 'Noynoy' Aquino III. During his tenure from 2010 to 2016, Luistro championed major reforms including the controversial K to 12 Basic Education Program. He later returned to lead De La Salle Philippines from 2017 to 2019 and served in various educational and intergovernmental organizations, such as the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines, the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization, and the National Youth Commission. Luistro holds a doctorate in educational management from University of St. La Salle in Bacolod, and earned his master's degree in religious education and values and bachelor's degree in philosophy and humanities from DLSU. —Sherylin Untalan/KG, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
11-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
House defers accepting articles of impeachment; to seek Senate guidance
'We are certain and it is in the face of the impeachment complaint, that we are fully and strictly compliant with the requirements of the Constitution,' House prosecutor Batangas Rep. Gerville "Jinky Bitrics" Luistro said in a briefing on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. The House of Representatives will defer the acceptance of the articles of impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte while they are seeking clarification from the Senate impeachment court on its requests, a lawmaker said Wednesday. 'We will be seeking for clarification first and that's why we opted to defer receiving the orders,' Batangas Representative Gerville "Jinky Bitrics" Luistro said in a briefing. This comes after 18 senators on Tuesday voted for the return of the articles to the House. The senators are asking the House to certify the non-violation of the one-year ban on impeachment complaints and sought assurance from the 20th Congress that it is willing and ready to pursue the impeachment complaint. 'We are certain and it is in the face of the impeachment complaint, that we are fully and strictly compliant with the requirements of the Constitution,' Luistro said. 'Pangalawa [Second], they're asking for reconfirmation of the 20th Congress, whether it will pursue the impeachment complaint against the vice president. How can this order be complied [with] when the 20th Congress does not yet exist?' she later added. Aside from this, Luistro said they will seek clarification regarding a letter that is circulating on social media that the presentation of articles has been rendered moot. 'That is part of their own rules and we are ready to present the articles. Why suddenly, biglang rendered moot. No less than the rules of the impeachment of the Senate provides for the same,' she said. Luistro said that the House is not defying or disobeying the impeachment court. 'As soon as we are clarified about the issues surrounding the order of the Senate last night, for as long as they are within the bounds of the law, the prosecution panel will comply,' she said. The lawmakers also said that it is up to the Office of the Secretary General to receive the articles of impeachment. Luistro, meanwhile, earlier welcomed the service of the summons to Duterte, saying this means that the impeachment trial can no longer be stopped as the court has acquired jurisdiction over her. 'Finally, the people of the Philippines will see from the answer of the Vice President what her defenses are,' she said. 'Isa lamang po ang ibig sabihin nito. 'Yung pag-acquire po ng jurisdiction ng impeachment court sa ating respondent, kay Vice President Sara Zimmerman Duterte, it only shows na tuloy na tuloy na ang impeachment trial,' she added. (This only means one thing. The impeachment court's acquisition of jurisdiction over our respondent, Vice President Sara Zimmerman Duterte, only shows that the impeachment trial is definitely moving forward.) Confident? When asked about the possibility that the senators would retain their position following the trial, Luistro said the decision of the senators would be hard to preempt. 'Mahirap po isipin o sabihin na 'yung boto kahapon ay 'yun na rin ang magiging boto sa impeachment case sapagkat wala pa po ni isang ebidensyang naiilatag ang prosecution,' Luistro said. (It's difficult to assume or say that yesterday's vote will be the same vote in the impeachment case because not a single piece of evidence has been presented yet by the prosecution.) This was echoed by Antipolo Representative Romeo Acop, who said that he remains hopeful that the senator-judges will rule in their favor. 'You know why? During the Erap impeachment trial, they had the number. Pero bakit nag baliktad? Kasi nakita na 'yung ebidensya. As the gentle lady from Batangas said, wala pang naipre-presenta na ebidensya,' he said. (You know why? During the Erap impeachment trial, they had the number. But why did they change their votes? Because the evidence was revealed. As the gentlelady from Batangas said, not a single piece of evidence has been presented yet.) 'Siguro kapag nakita na ng mga tao at saka senator judges 'yung mga pieces evidence, baka magbago po ang isip nila,' he added. (Maybe once the people and the senator-judges see the pieces of evidence, their minds might change.) Those who voted yes include Senate President Chiz Escudero and Senators Ronald 'Bato' Dela Rosa, Robin Padilla, Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go, Francis Tolentino, Imee Marcos, Cynthia Villar, Mark Villar, Jinggoy Estrada, JV Ejercito, Ramon Revilla Jr., Joel Villanueva, Lito Lapid, Alan Peter Cayetano, Pia Cayetano, Loren Legarda, Raffy Tulfo, and Juan Miguel Zubiri. The negative votes came from Minority Leader Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III, Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros, and Senators Grace Poe, Sherwin Gatchalian, and Nancy Binay. — BM, GMA Integrated News
