Unnecessary impeachment

LAW SCHOOL days remind us of reading hundreds of pages of full-text cases. It even includes the independent opinions and knowledge of the Supreme Court (SC) Justices.

Some of the most sought-after dissents are those of Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Victor Leonen. There are new lights that you will discover and add to your knowledge of the law.

But who would have thought that this day will come? That we are going to read a complaint or case against our dear Justice?

An impeachment complaint was filed on Monday against Associate Justice Leonen before the House of Representatives for culpable violation of the 1987 Philippine Constitution and betrayal of public trust.

Section 2, Article XI of the Constitution says the President, Vice President, members of the Supreme Court, members of constitutional commissions, and the Ombudsman may be removed from office via impeachment. Only one complaint can be filed against an impeachable official per year – if an impeachment complaint does not prosper, a second complaint cannot be filed within the same year.

And, yes, this scenario may be the same legal maneuver that happened in 2018 when then Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno was removed from office.

History repeats itself way too fast, huh?

The charge of culpable violation of the Constitution spurs from Justice Leonen’s alleged failure to resolve 82 cases within the required 24-month period. The other one, betrayal of public trust, stems from the allegation that Justice Leonen failed to file his Statement of Assets Liabilities and Networth (SALN) from 1989 to 2003 and 2008 to 2009.

Ironically, Justice Leonen is in-charge of the protest case filed by former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. The latter’s camp failed to force the good Justice to inhibit from the said protest.

Additionally, it was Cong. Angelo Marcos Barba who endorsed the impeachment complaint filed against Justice Leonen. The congressman is the representative of Ilocos Norte’s 2nd District and a cousin of Bongbong Marcos.

With a House member endorsing the complaint, this only means that it has been officially filed.

No wonder there is a public suspicion that the former senator had something to do with the impeachment complaint.

Impeachment and removal from office are sort of easy and cool kind of remedy nowadays. It is a popular topic but it is least understood by many. It is as if the judiciary is at the mercy of the legislative branch.

But we should remember that the three branches of government – executive, judiciary and legislative – are all equal.

Who will benefit from this unnecessary impeachment complaint?

To quote the official statement of Justice Leonen: “Given the urgent and pressing needs of our people during this time of crises, we are confident that our leaders will do the right thing. Certainly, this may not be to attend to false issues raised by some for clearly personal or vindictive reasons.”

Let’s prioritize the needs of the public./PN