MANILA — The House Committee on Justice has ruled that the two impeachment complaints filed against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did not meet the constitutional requirements to proceed, finding them insufficient in substance.
House Justice Committee chair Gerville Luistro explained that a complaint is considered defective when it fails to present concrete facts and instead relies on broad or unsupported claims.
She said an impeachment case must clearly establish acts that fall under the offenses specified in the Constitution, which she noted are “strictly enumerated.”
Luistro said only charges involving betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, and other high crimes may be used as legal grounds for impeachment.
If a complaint is found wanting, it is effectively dismissed at the committee level, she said. However, the panel is still required to submit a report to the House plenary, which retains the power to reverse the committee’s findings.
“Lahat ng decision ng justice committee is subject to the approval of the plenary of the House of Representatives,” she said.
The ruling covers both impeachment complaints currently filed against the President./PN
