A group led by former militant congressmen submitted a verified impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday morning, January 22, to the Office of the Secretary General at the House of Representatives.
The 37-page complaint, however, was not formally received by office personnel, who cited the absence of House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil. Despite this, the complainants maintained that the filing was valid, invoking House rules on substitute service.
“Para amin, that impeachment complaint is deemed files. Why? Because we delivered it to the Office of the Secretary General,” former Bayan Muna Partylist Representative Neri Colmenares said in an impromptu press conference after serving the complaint.
“Hindi namin kasalanan kung absent ang inyong Secretary General. Under the Constitution, under the rules, it is enough that we submit to your office,” former Bayan Muna Partylist Representative Teddy Casiño said.
Reports earlier in the day noted that Garafil had a scheduled engagement in Taiwan on Friday morning.
The complaint was signed by 36 individuals, making it the second impeachment case to reach the secretary general’s office this week.
On Monday, lawyer Andre de Jesus filed the first impeachment complaint against Marcos, which was endorsed by Pusong Pinoy Partylist Representative Jett Nisay, with Garafil present to receive it.
The latest filing adds to mounting challenges against the President, as the House prepares to determine the validity and sufficiency of the complaints in accordance with constitutional and legislative procedures.