Former government officials attempted Thursday afternoon to file a third impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., but the Office of the Secretary General refused to accept the document, citing the absence of House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil, who is abroad to receive an award from Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The same situation occurred earlier in the day when Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) and allied groups tried to file a separate impeachment complaint.
Unlike BAYAN, which left a copy of its complaint with the Office of the Secretary General, the second group did not.
Former Negros Occidental 1st District Representative Jacinto Paras said they attempted to leave a copy but it was not received.
When asked if they would return on Monday, former Anakalusugan Partylist Representative Mike Defensor initially said no, but later clarified they would explore other legal remedies.
“The refusal of the Office of the Secretary General of the House of Representatives to accept the impeachment complaint is a clear violation of both the rules of the House and the 1987 Philippine Constitution,” Defensor said.
The complainants, including former Armed Forces chief-of-staff Hermogenes Esperon and former Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson, wore peach ribbons to symbolize their call to impeach the President.
They were joined by lawyer and Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP) spokesperson for impeachment Ferdinand Topacio.
Asked if they were aligned with former President Rodrigo Duterte, the group responded that they were “pro-Filipino.”
They also claimed that three members of the House of Representatives had endorsed their complaint but declined to name them.
This latest attempt follows the first impeachment complaint filed on January 19 by lawyer Andre de Jesus, endorsed by Pusong Pinoy Partylist Representative Jett Nisay. That complaint accused Marcos of graft and corruption, culpable violation of the Constitution, and betrayal of public trust.