Malacañang on Friday dismissed allegations that President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was involved in the filing of impeachment complaints against him.
The denial came after former Anakalusugan Partylist Representative Mike Defensor branded the impeachment complaint filed by lawyer Andre de Jesus a “scam,” claiming that Marcos had a hand in blocking additional cases lodged by other groups.
“Mike Defensor should substantiate his accusation against Atty. De Jesus,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a text message responding to Defensor’s remarks.
The first impeachment complaint, endorsed by Pusong Pinoy Partylist Representative Jernie Jett Nisay, has been met with skepticism, with opposition groups dismissing it as a “scripted distraction.”
Two more complaints—one filed by progressive groups and another by lawyers and former lawmakers allied with the Dutertes—were submitted to the House Office of the Secretary General on Thursday but were not accepted due to the absence of Secretary Cheloy Garafil, who was on an official trip.
Defensor, a complainant in the third case, alleged that Marcos influenced Garafil’s office to refuse acceptance of the filings. He further accused the administration of deliberately avoiding public grievances.
Castro reiterated that Marcos had no involvement in the impeachment complaint, pointing out that De Jesus himself admitted to serving as counsel for the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), chaired by former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“We have nothing to do with their bickering,” she said.
Earlier this week, Castro warned that the impeachment complaint could negatively impact the Philippine economy, saying it may undermine investor confidence in the President.