House leadership refers impeachment complaints vs Marcos to justice committee

MANILA, Philippines – The House leadership forwarded two impeachment complaints filed against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the justice committee on Monday, January 26, marking the start of a process that could remove him from office if successful.

The two complaints are:

1. the petition endorsed by Pusong Pinoy Representative Jett Nisay, which seeks the removal of Marcos for allegedly enabling the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte on an International Criminal Court warrant, his alleged drug use, and his role in the flood control corruption scandal and overall budget mess
2. the petition endorsed by the three-member Makabayan bloc accusing Marcos of betrayal of public trust for his role in the flood control corruption scandal and overall budget mess

The referral came after Speaker Bojie Dy included the two complaints in the order of business in the plenary during the first House session after a nearly month-long holiday break.

There were earlier concerns that only the Nisay-endorsed complaint, filed a week before the Makabayan-endorsed complaint, would be forwarded to the justice committee. Had the Makabayan-endorsed petition not been transmitted simultaneously, it would be deemed useless since the Constitution allows only one impeachment proceeding against an impeachable official per year.

The Supreme Court in Francisco vs House of Representatives said an impeachment complaint that went through the long method — as laid out in Article 11, Section 3(2) — is deemed initiated once it reaches the justice committee.

Observers believe Nisay’s complaint was poorly written and would be easily dismissed by the justice committee, benefiting the President who would get a one-year immunity from impeachment.

The House is still composed of the President’s allies, making it unlikely for any impeachment effort against Marcos to succeed.

Proof of the President’s sway in the House is the fact that its majority leader is none other than his son, Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Sandro Marcos.

The younger Marcos said on Monday afternoon that he is inhibiting from the impeachment proceedings to avoid any perceived conflict of interest.

“The House must be allowed to discharge its constitutional duties without any shadow of personal interest, real or imagined,” Sandro Marcos said. “My recusal ensures that no question may be raised about the fairness, objectivity, or legitimacy of the process, and that the focus remains where it properly belongs — on the Constitution, the facts, and the rule of law.”

Following referral, the justice committee, chaired by Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville “Jinky” Luistro, will be tasked to determine whether the complaints are sufficient in form and substance. The President will also be given the chance to respond to the allegations. – Rappler.com