From Charissa Luci Atienza

Since it finally puts the accusation hearing on September 4, the House Committee on Justice said that all seven magistrates, including the newly appointed Supreme Court Teresita De Castro, will be invited to & # 39; as the need arises.

(Ali Vicoy / MANILA BULLETIN)

Oriental Mindoro Rep. Paulino Salvador "Doy" Leachon said that the panel will deal with the charges against the judges on September 4 as soon as the House plenary meeting refers them to its committee.

"September 4 is the final date that will be referred to us on Tuesday," he said in an interview.

When he was asked if the management of the House agrees with the hearing schedule of September 4, he said: "The judge's committee will be the one who determines the date of the interrogation, everything is laid down in the rules."

Majority leader and Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. said earlier that the Lower House will hold the ouster hearing against the seven SC judges on Wednesday 29 August.

Leachon said that the House will call De Castro "if necessary."

"Justices will be invited if needed," said Leachon, referring to De Castro, and Justices Diosdado Peralta, Lucas Bersamin, Andres Reyes, Francis Jardeleza, Noel Tijam and Alexander Gesmundo.

In a radio interview he assured that his committee would deal with the complaints of the accusation "with handling" and "ultimate impartiality".

"We solve this with dispatch." Kailangan matapos natin, "said the house leader in the words of presidential spokesman Harry Roque that the extortion complaints filed by the members of the Magnificent 7 block will only be tapped and that of the office from the notary general the complaints will not see the light of the day.

"So we have to follow rules, Alam mo, this is an essential part of democracy, so it is part of democracy, and they know very well that they view, but that they are independent from the government's ang-bawat department, & Luckon said.

He assured himself that his panel will treat the complaints fairly and perpendicularly.

"Certainly the people and the public, those involved in these complaints, especially the judges, I can assure them and I can guarantee them that the Justice Committee will certainly try to hear them with the greatest impartiality," he said.

Leachon said that they count on the judges "to cooperate with them" when they reach the process to determine whether there is a probable cause or not to accuse them.

"I know they will respect the jurisdiction of each department, since we also submit to the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court when a case is filed for them … in the same way that a case is filed before us," he said.

"The House of Congress led by the Speaker expects the cooperation of the respondents," said the house leader.

Magdalo party list Rep. Gary Alejano, one of the four independent lawmakers who filed charges against the judges, said that the House of Representatives can sue the Chief Judge, but "it is up to De Castro to appear personally or through her advice."

"But I think it will come in the determination of the likely cause phase," he said.

For his part AKO BICOL list Rep. Rodel Batocabe: "As a matter of courtesy at the head of an equivalent branch, it is better to simply invite her instead of calling her, but then I do not even think that the expectation of a demise will come this far. # 39;

On Friday, speaker Arroyo gave the green light to speed up the deposition process against the seven SC judges in order not to disturb the legislative agenda of the chamber, including the approval of the P3.757 trillion national budget of 2019.

Within ten session days, Arroyo must pass on the accusations of rejection to the House Committee on Rules, chaired by Andaya.

On August 23, members of the "Magnificent 7" block of the House of Representatives -Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, Magdalo party list Rep. Gary Alejano, Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat, and Akbayan party list Rep. Tom Villarin deposition on complaints against the Castro, Peralta, Bersamin, Reyes, Jardeleza, Tijam and Gesmundo.

The independent lawmakers accused the seven magistrates of committing culpable violation of the constitution and betraying public trust.

The magistrates voted to oust the former chief judge Maria Lourdes Sereno in a controversial petition for quo warranto.

Ombudsman Samuel Martires, who was one of eight Justices who removed Sereno, was not included in the complaint because he is no longer a sitting employee, Lagman said.

The complainants said that the decision of the Supreme Court of May 11, 2018, which Sereno concluded by granting the quo warrant standpoint "is not only erroneous, but also malicious." It is not only without constitutional anchorage, it is also a flagrant excuse, a orchestrated puppet show. "

The complainants also argued that "unethical intentions led Justices De Castro, Peralta, and Bersamin to drive Sereno away." With the removal of Sereno, a vacancy was created in the position of Chief Justice, and these judges were expected to compete for that position, as they in fact. & # 39;