The Philippine vice president sends another ‘ad cautelam’ letter as lawmakers proceed with a “mini-trial,” prompting activist group Bayan to accuse her of “utter disdain for truth, accountability, and justice.”
Manila: Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte was absent from Tuesday’s Committee on Justice hearing on the impeachment complaints against her, instead sending another legal letter questioning the panel’s jurisdiction to conduct proceedings.
Duterte submitted a second ad cautelam—a Latin term meaning “with caution”—letter to the House of Representatives committee, dismissing the hearing as a “fishing expedition” and arguing that only the Senate has the authority to conduct an impeachment trial.
In the letter, Duterte stated she would rather spend her time “helping Filipinos” and urged the committee to dismiss the complaints outright.
An ad cautelam is a procedural maneuver that allows a respondent to respond to proceedings while refusing to acknowledge the recipient’s jurisdiction. It is often described in legal circles as a “just in case” measure or a move made “to be on the safe side.”
Committee Proceeds With ‘Mini-Trial’
Despite the vice president’s absence, the Committee on Justice decided to proceed with what lawmakers called a “mini-trial” to determine whether the two approved impeachment complaints have probable cause.
Committee members argued that Duterte’s latest ad cautelam submission was based on an erroneous assumption that the House lacks jurisdiction. Legislators maintained they have the authority to investigate evidence and documents related to the allegations, including Duterte’s statements of assets, liabilities, and net worth, as well as bank and corporate records.
The documents in question pertain to accusations that the vice president enriched herself through, among other things, the misuse of public funds.
Committee chairperson Gerville Luistro said the panel would “not dignify” Duterte’s ad cautelam answer with a formal reply. Luistro also warned that the vice president’s continued refusal to participate weakens her ability to convince lawmakers that the complaints lack probable cause.
The impeachment complaints had previously been determined to be sufficient in form, substance, and grounds.
Activist Group: ‘Utter Disdain for Truth’
Activist group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) condemned Duterte’s absence, saying it reflects her “utter disdain for the people’s clamour for truth, accountability, and justice.”
“Moreover, it indicates her desperate attempt to delay and disrupt the impeachment process. The office of the Vice President doesn’t exempt Sara Duterte from being held to account for committing grave crimes against the Filipino people she vowed to serve,” Bayan said in a statement.
The group also took issue with Duterte’s invocation of the Middle East crisis as a reason for her non-attendance, calling it a disingenuous excuse.
“It is foul for Duterte to use the Middle East crisis as an excuse to snub the constitutional proceedings,” Bayan said. “Public officials invoking any crisis to evade accountability for grievous wrongdoing smacks of hypocrisy and opportunism. She should not be allowed to belittle the public demand to combat corruption and impunity.”
What’s Next
The Committee on Justice is expected to continue its review of evidence in the coming days. If probable cause is found, the impeachment complaint will move to the Senate for a formal trial.
Duterte, who faces multiple impeachment complaints alleging corruption and misuse of public funds, has consistently denied any wrongdoing and characterized the proceedings as politically motivated.
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