Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Sandro Marcos on Friday clarified that he cannot block the filing of any impeachment complaint, including those directed at his father, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., stressing that the House of Representatives is constitutionally mandated to act on such cases.
“We need to remind (the) people. Congress is constitutionally bound to hear these cases for anyone, for any impeachable officer, whether the President or not,” Marcos said when asked about speculation that he might use his position to stop the impeachment bid against his father.
“Sa mga nagsasabi na baka harangin nila yung impeachment I cannot do, and I have to perform my duty as majority leader and perform my duty to the Constitution and my mandate. That is to say that I cannot stop any impeachment complaint from being referred to the floor or to the committee of justice,” he added.
An impeachment complaint against President Marcos was filed by lawyer Andre de Jesus on January 19.
The Makabayan bloc and a group led by former Anakalusugan Partylist Representative Mike Defensor also attempted to file separate complaints on January 22, but were unable to proceed after House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil left for an official trip abroad.
“We have to go through the process, and again… ang Malacañang has stated that he’s confident na wala naman siyang ginawang mali because I share the same sentiment, so I will not be stopping or blocking any impeachment complaint,” Marcos said.
Garafil later confirmed that her office had forwarded De Jesus’ complaint to the Office of the Speaker on January 20.
Under House rules, only one impeachment complaint may be initiated against an impeachable officer within a year. The process formally begins once the House plenary refers the complaint to the Committee on Justice.