The Makabayan bloc of the House of Representatives, along with other opposition groups, will refile on Monday the impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., following the absence of the receiving official last week.
In Manila, Philippines, the Makabayan bloc of the House of Representatives announced they will refile the impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. today due to the absence of House secretary-general Cheloy Garafil last week. Party-list Reps. Antonio Tinio (ACT Teachers), Renee Louise Co (Kabataan), and Sarah Elago (Gabriela) stated, 'We hope that there would be no more excuses on the part of the House in accepting the complaint and further obstructing efforts toward accountability.'
The complainants in the Makabayan case, endorsed by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan president Renato Reyes, include taxpayers, workers, farmers, students, teachers, urban poor, professionals, and anti-corruption advocates. The three articles of impeachment focus on institutionalizing systemic corruption and patronage; abuse of discretionary power over unprogrammed appropriations; and direct personal involvement in kickback schemes.
This marks the second impeachment complaint against the President, following the first by private lawyer Andre de Jesus, which is now with the Office of the Speaker. A third complaint by former congressman Mike Defensor and former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson also failed to be submitted last week because Garafil was in Taiwan receiving the “Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon” for her achievements with the Manila Economic and Cultural Office.
Opposition lawmaker and deputy minority leader Leila de Lima emphasized that 'the legitimacy of impeachment depends not only on outcomes, but on the integrity of the process by which it is conducted.' Meanwhile, Lanao del Sur 1st district Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong clarified that the process follows the 1987 Constitution and House rules, and Garafil's absence for an official engagement abroad does not affect the handling of impeachment matters.
