Palace: Alleged impeachment plan vs. Marcos ‘political maneuvering’

Malacañang on Sunday shrugged off a supposed plan to file an impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., saying such a move would be “political maneuvering.” 

“We have seen this statement made by a lawmaker. At this point, these are unsubstantiated statements allegedly coming from the supporters of a certain politician. The President remains committed to leading and producing results for the Filipino people,” said Palace Press Officer Claire Castro in a statement. 

The Palace was reacting to the statement of House Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Caloocan 2nd District Representative Edgar Erice that Marcos may face an impeachment complaint.

Erice alleged that there were individuals who reached out to him to endorse an impeachment complaint against Marcos due to betrayal of public trust. 

“May groups na tumawag sa akin. Pinapakiusapan ako kung pwede daw ako mag-endorse ng impeachment against President BBM. Sabi ko, hindi ako pupwede dahil under the new rules ng Supreme Court, dadaan ‘yan sa Committee on Justice. These are pro-Vice President groups,” said Erice in Tina Panganiban-Perez’s report in “24 Oras Weekend.” 

(There are groups that called me. They were requesting if I could endorse an impeachment [complaint] against President BBM. I said, I cannot do it because under the new rules of the Supreme Court, that has to go through the Committee on Justice. These are pro-Vice President groups.) 

The Caloocan lawmaker added that there are other lawmakers who believe that there is a basis for the possible impeachment of the president. 

“P1.45 trillion in insertions, diversions, amendments, napunta sa mga anomalous projects. Hindi siya kumibo, hindi kumibo yung gabinete niya.  Sabi ko nga, kung 2023 lang, baka napalusutan siya.  Pero 2024, 2025, pinirmahan niya, sabi niya ni-review niya,” said Erice.  

(P1.45 trillion in insertions, diversions, and amendments went to anomalous projects. He did not say a word, his cabinet did not say a word. Like I said, if it were just 2023, he might have been able to let it pass. But for 2024 and 2025, he signed it, and he said he reviewed it.) 

Meanwhile, some House majority and minority leaders said that any impeachment complaint must be based on evidence. 

“The House recognizes that impeachment is a constitutional mechanism, not a political weapon… Due process applies to the President as much as to any public official,” said House Deputy Speaker and La Union 1st district Representative Paolo Ortega. 

“It should be based on solid grounds…If we are talking about culpable violation of the Constitution, it is not mere rhetoric, it should not also be made like a click bait or propaganda to create political noise,” said House Assistant Majority Leader Lanao del Sur 1st district Representative Zia Alonto Adiong.

“Titignan natin kung saan tayo dadalhin ng ebidensya at ganun din kung magde-desisyon yung mga civil society organizations, we will work closely with them,” said House Deputy Minority Leader and Akbayan Party-list Representative Perci Cendaña. 

(We will see where the evidence takes us, and similarly, if civil society organizations reach a decision to file a complaint, we will work closely with them.) 

For its part, the Palace said the President believes that any actions to be taken by Congress will be based on facts and the law. 

“He respects the existing constitutional processes and believes that any actions taken by members of Congress will be driven by facts, the law, and national interest. The administration will not speculate on rumours or political maneuverings,” Castro added. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF/BM, GMA Integrated News