THE SITTING PRESIDENT has all the reason to relax, unmindful of the first impeachment complaint filed against him at the House of Representatives — at least for the next twelve months.
This comes as doubt shrouds the manner in which the first “verified impeachment complaint” was haphazardly transmitted to the Office of the House Speaker for “appropriate action,” with the second impeachment complaint facing uncertainty. The so-called Makabayan bloc is behind the second complaint.
Interestingly, the group behind the third impeachment complaint have decided to call off their plan, citing what they claimed as a premeditated plan primarily designed to appease the public while ensuring President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. stays in power until his term expires in 2028.
Previously, the Office of the House Secretary General declined to “officially receive” the impeachment complaints filed by the Makabayan bloc and that of a group closely affiliated with Vice President Sara Duterte.
The reason — lawyer Cheloy Garafil wasn’t available. Garafil is the House Secretary-General.
“Former congressman Mike Defensor said pursuing a separate impeachment complaint against Marcos Jr. at the House of Representatives is useless, even as he suggested that the process has already been preempted with the “first impeachment complaint” already referred to the Speaker’s Office.”
THE FIRST COMPLAINT
The first verified impeachment complaint was filed by lawyer Andre de Jesus — and endorsed by PusongPinoy Partylist Representative Jett Nisay.
Upon receipt of any impeachment complaint, the Office of the Secretary General recorded and forwarded to the proper office — an initial step “meant to preserve order and due process.
Under existing rules, the House Speaker has 10 days from receipt to include the verified impeachment complaint in the Order of Business of the lower chamber. It shall be referred to the House Committee on Justice within three session days after.
The lawyer-complainant accused Marcos of graft and corruption, culpable violation of the Constitution, and betrayal of public trust.
However, the Makabayan bloc finds the first complaint as “weak” for which the group attempted to file a second impeachment complaint. Garafil’s subordinates however declined to “officially receive” the second complaint amid the “office chief’s absence.”
SUCCESSFUL SECOND BID
Four days after its failed bid, the Makabayan bloc successfully filed its impeachment complaint against the President — but the future of the petition remains uncertain.
ACT Teachers Representative Antonio Tinio said Garafil received the complaint, but would not make any promise to immediately refer the complaint to the Speaker’s office.
“She said that according to tradition, no same-day referral of the complaint to the Speaker’s office has happened before,” Tinio said of what Garafil told them.
Under existing rules, “a verified complaint for impeachment by a member of the House or by any citizen upon a resolution of endorsement by any member thereof shall be filed with the office of the Secretary General and immediately referred to the Speaker.”
With the “first verified complaint” already sent to the Speaker’s desk, there’s a slim chance for the Makabayan-sponsored impeachment complaint to reach the plenary which would refer “it” to the justice committee.
UNTIL NEXT YEAR
Under the 1987 Constitution, only one impeachment proceeding would be allowed to take place against an impeachable official per year.
It is for the same reason that the people behind the “third impeachment complaint” decided not to push through with their plan — to oust the President through constitutional means.
Former congressman Mike Defensor said pursuing a separate impeachment complaint against Marcos Jr. at the House of Representatives is useless, even as he suggested that the process has already been preempted with the “first impeachment complaint” already referred to the Speaker’s Office.
According to Defensor, their group’s effort to file an impeachment complaint was deliberately blocked to make way for the “first impeachment complaint,” which he claimed was deliberately made too weak to stand.
Defensor expressed belief that what they actually have is more than enough to unseat the President — “but people will have to wait longer.”
The grounds for impeachment under the “third impeachment complaint” include:
• Unprogrammed allocations
• Diversion of PhilHealth funds amounting to P60 billion
• Inclusion of P107 billion from the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC)
• Diversion of funds away from major infrastructure projects, including the Metro Manila Subway.
