MANILA — Progressive organizations and civil society groups filed a second impeachment case against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. but encountered a hurdle at the House of Representatives.
The complaint by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) chairman Renato Reyes and former ACT Teachers party-list representative France Castro was endorsed by the Makabayan Bloc, led by current ACT Teachers congressman Antonio Tinio, Gabriela’s Cong. Sarah Elago, and Kabataan party-list’s Cong. Renee Co.
Former lawmakers Teodoro Casiño and Neri Colmenares said they went to the Office of the Secretary General to lodge the verified complaint, but were told that no authorized official was available to receive it.
Despite this, they said a copy of the document was left at the office.
“Nakakadismaya na ayaw tanggapin ng executive director ng Secretary General’s office ang complaint. Ayon sa kanya wala syang authority to receive the complaint,” Casiño said. “As far as we are concerned, it is filed.”
The complaint accuses the President of betrayal of public trust and was expected to be backed by members of the Makabayan bloc in the House.
House rules state that an impeachment complaint must be submitted to the Office of the Secretary General and, once received, forwarded to the Speaker, who then has 10 session days to include it in the chamber’s official agenda.
The filing attempt came just days after the first impeachment complaint against Marcos was transmitted to the Office of the Speaker. That earlier case was submitted by lawyer Andre de Jesus and endorsed by Pusong Pinoy party-list’s Cong. Jett Nisay.
House Assistant Majority Leader Zia Alonto Adiong earlier said the first complaint is likely to be referred to the House Committee on Justice when lawmakers resume sessions on Monday.
The initial impeachment complaint lists several accusations against the President, including alleged graft and corruption, culpable violation of the Constitution, and betrayal of public trust.
Among the allegations raised were the surrender of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court, claims about the President’s alleged “drug addiction,” his failure to veto unprogrammed budget allocations, alleged benefits from budget insertions and flood control project kickbacks, and the creation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, which the complainants said was meant to “shield” the President’s allies.
With two impeachment efforts now pending, the House is expected to face renewed political pressure when it reconvenes next week./PN
