A second impeachment criticism against President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. was filed on the House of Representatives on Monday.
The complainants, composed of activists from opposition political groups, returned to the House after their ouster bid was declined last week by the secretary-general’s office in her absence.
They sought to secure House Secretary-General Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil’s receipt of the criticism amid concerns that the impeachment process against Mr. Marcos could begin this week as congressmen return from the vacation break.
The primary criticism was filed last Monday, which critics described as weak and more likely to be dismissed. Congress may initiate just one impeachment proceeding against the identical official inside a calendar yr, based on the 1987 Structure.
“What we’re expecting now’s the immediate referral to the Speaker,” House Deputy Minority Leader and Party-list Rep. Antonio L. Tinio told reporters after the filing. “But we didn’t get a definite commitment from the secretary-general to refer the criticism straight away.”
Moves to question Mr. Marcos underscore deep political divisions over his government’s handling of widespread graft involving politicians, officials and personal contractors within the corruption-prone nation, though the hassle may falter as Marcos allies dominate Congress.
“There’s enough time to consolidate the impeachment complaints in order that there will likely be a single initiation of proceedings immediately,” Mr. Tinio said.
Meanwhile, House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” A. Marcos III recused himself from discussions on when the impeachment complaints can be referred to the House justice committee, a step that will effectively start proceedings against his father.
“The House should be allowed to discharge its constitutional duties with none shadow of non-public interest, real or imagined,” he said in an announcement. “My recusal ensures that absolute confidence could also be raised concerning the fairness, objectivity or legitimacy of the method.” — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio