House resets SC justice’s impeach hearing to Nov. 22

MANILA, Philippines – The hearing to determine whether the impeachment complaint filed against Supreme Court Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo was reset to November 22 anew, a report on Radyo Inquirer 990AM said Tuesday.

Congressman Niel Tupas Jr. chairman of the committee on justice tasked to conduct the hearing, said the cancellation would give congressmen a chance to study further the complaint that has been deemed sufficient in form.

Del Castillo has been accused of plagiarism in writing a recent Supreme Court ruling in which he was alleged to have  copied the works of international law experts in writing the high court’s resolution in a civil suit filed by World War II victims of sex slavery, or Filipino “comfort women.”

The Supreme Court itself has denied a petition by University of the Philippines (UP) law professors Tristan Catindig and Carina Laforteza for a full hearing on the allegation of plagiarism made against Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo, citing “lack of merit”.

The decision virtually plugged all legal actions that may be pursued against Del Castillo.