The House Committee on Justice has begun its preliminary hearing on the impeachment complaint against President Rodrigo Duterte.
The complaint was filed by Magdalo Party-list Representative Gary Alejano.
House Committee Chairman Reynaldo Umali declared the existence of quorum after affirming the attendance of 24 lawmakers.
Their task today is to determine if the complaint is sufficient in form.
Kabayan Party-list Representative Harry Roque moved that the supplemental complaint filed by Alejano be barred as it supposedly constitutes a second impeachment complaint filed within a year and the Constitution bars this practice.
But Umali says, the Supreme Court had previously ruled that filing of additional affidavit is allowed.
Alejano asked to be given a chance to give an opening remark but he was told that this is not part of the procedure.
The complainant will only be allowed to speak when he is asked questions by the committee members.