The House committee on justice will resume deliberations today on the junked impeachment complaints against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., paving the way for a committee report to be voted on in plenary session.
The House committee on justice, chaired by Batangas 2nd District Rep. Gerville Luistro, is set to vote on the twin rulings that dismissed the impeachment complaints filed by private lawyer Andre de Jesus and the Makabayan bloc. These were deemed 'sufficient in form' but 'insufficient in substance' under the rules.
Pusong Pinoy party-list Rep. Jernie Jett Nisay, who endorsed the De Jesus petition, along with Reps. Antonio Tinio of ACT Teachers, Renee Co of Kabataan, and Sarah Jane Elago of Gabriela, who backed the Makabayan complaint, are expected to oppose the dismissal. A majority of the committee pointed out that the complaints relied heavily on news articles, which they saw as failing to provide enough facts for a full impeachment proceeding. They highlighted dependence on speculation, policy differences, and unverified allegations rather than direct actions by the President that could establish liability for an impeachable offense.
Lawmakers cautioned against eroding the constitutional standards by accepting hearsay and unsubstantiated claims. The committee's report is slated for submission to the House plenary, where all 318 members will determine the impeachment's fate. A vote by 107 members—one-third of the House—to overturn the report would send the case to the Senate for trial.
