No House game plan yet vs Supreme Court Justice del Castillo

The House majority has not yet decided on its game plan to impeach Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo for plagiarism.

“We haven’t discussed much more decided on it. This will surely roll over to next year,” said House Appropriations chair and Cavite Rep. Joseph E.A. Abaya in a text message to the Inquirer.

On Tuesday, the House committee on justice approved the impeachment case against del Castillo as being sufficient in form.

But with only 10 session days left from the 60-day deadline (from the filing of the impeachment case) to wrap up committee hearings, Abaya said members were focused on whether the charges would also be considered as sufficient in substance which would then pave the way for plenary voting on the case.

“I’m sure all members of the committee will be interested in the answer of J. del Castillo (in the next hearing). Decisions (on the voting) shall be made at the appropriate time,” said Abaya.

The lack of a definite game plan from the House leaders has fanned speculations that the recent House move was just meant to “rattle” del Castillo and other magistrates appointed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

“The committee wanted to send a strong message to the justices to forget their ‘utang na loob’ in deciding the (electoral sabotage) case of Arroyo,” said a lawmaker, who requested anonymity.