Makabayan Coalition Asserts Impeachment Complaint Against President Marcos Jr. Is Deemed Filed
The Makabayan Coalition has declared that its impeachment complaint targeting President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is now considered officially filed, even though it has not been physically received by House of Representatives Secretary General Cheloy Garafil. This development comes as Secretary General Garafil is currently in Taiwan to receive an award, creating a procedural hurdle in the submission process.
Constitutional Arguments and Legal Justifications
Key figures behind the complaint, including Renato Reyes, President of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, and former Bayan Muna lawmakers Neri Colmenares and Teddy Casiño, have provided detailed explanations. They argue that the 1987 Constitution mandates the acceptance of such complaints by the secretary general, and they have adhered to all necessary requirements.
Colmenares, who is also a lawyer, emphasized that their complaint is fully verified and endorsed, meeting the constitutional standards. He further clarified that while the Constitution does not explicitly mention the term secretary general, it is the House of Representatives that has delegated the responsibility to this office for receiving impeachment submissions.
Procedural Steps and Future Actions
According to Casiño, the coalition has left a copy of the impeachment complaint at the Secretary General's office. This copy is intended to be transmitted to House Speaker Faustino Dy either on Monday or when the Lower House resumes its sessions. This move is seen as a strategic effort to ensure the complaint progresses through the legislative pipeline despite the current logistical challenges.
The situation highlights ongoing political tensions and the meticulous attention to legal procedures in the Philippines' governance framework. As this story develops, it underscores the complexities involved in impeachment processes and the critical role of constitutional adherence in such high-stakes political maneuvers.
