'House not likely to impeach Del Castillo'

Manila, Philippines -  The House of Representatives is not likely to vote to impeach Supreme Court Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo, Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said yesterday.

Last February, the House justice committee voted to find probable cause to impeach Del Castillo, who was accused of plagiarism in 2010.

The impeachment complaint is now before the plenary awaiting action.

Belmonte said he was not sure if there is time to vote on it on the floor before Congress adjourns on June 7.

The complaint needs at least 95 votes for it to be transmitted to the Senate.

Belmonte said he did not “see (the) House or Senate wanting to go through that exercise anytime soon,” referring to an impeachment trial.

“If we have time to tackle it, we will dismiss it,” he said.                

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