Can an impeachment complaint prosper even if it relies on information that is considered double hearsay?

According to the defense lawyer of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, the House justice committee should junk the impeachment complaint filed by Larry Gadon against Sereno after two of Gadon's alleged "sources" denied ever giving information.

Manila Times reporter Jomar Canlas, whom Gadon said was his source, denied giving any information to Gadon. Associate Justice Teresita de Castro has also denied giving info to Canlas.

"That is double hearsay--twice removed from the source of the information. In this case, we all know that the supposed direct source - Justice Tessie de Castro herself - has denied giving information to the reporter. So what does that make of all the statements and allegations of the complaint of Gadon," lawyer Winnie Salumbides said.

"Evidently, there is no personal knowledge. It is so impersonal. It is even dubious as we can call it right now because really denials at every step of the supposed communication process is what we are seeing. The credibility of complainant Gadon should be at an all-time low. He is supposed to be establishing the strength of his case, proving not just his allegations but even his evidence."

"Instead, his flimsy position is really being exposed. I just don't know up to what point of unraveling and shaking of his credibility is necessary for the impeachment committee to finally make a determination and ruling that this complaint should have been dismissed at the very first instance."

Salumbides said personal knowledge is a basic requirement for the filing of an impeachment case and was the basis used by lawmakers to dismiss a previous impeachment case filed against President Rodrigo Duterte.

ANC, November 27, 2017