Deadline looms on impeach complaint vs another justice

MANILA, Philippines—The House committee on justice will conduct three days of hearings on a pending impeachment case against Supreme Court Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo, who has been accused of plagiarism.

House Majority Leader Neptali Gonzales II said the committee had to finish its hearings within the 60-session day limit to process an impeachment complaint. That limit is set to expire this week.

The committee will hear in detail the complaint against Del Castillo for allegedly copying portions of a foreign expert’s opinion on a ruling without attribution.

His ruling denied the plea of “comfort women” for reparations from Japan.

The committee will also hear Del Castillo’s defense. If probable cause is determined, the complaint will be sent to the plenary for final voting.

Last week, the committee voted to uphold the case as being “sufficient in substance” more than a year after the impeachment complaint was filed.

If the complaint is passed, Del Castillo will be the second justice of the Supreme Court to be sent before a Senate impeachment court this year after Chief Justice Renato Corona.