Malacañang on Monday criticized the endorser of the impeachment complaint filed against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., with Palace press briefer and Undersecretary Claire Castro pointing to the alleged involvement of Pusong Pinoy Party-list Rep. Jett Nisay in the flood control controversy dubbed as the “congtractors” issue.

Castro said Malacañang is questioning the motives behind the impeachment bid, noting that the lawmaker who endorsed the complaint was himself implicated in the controversy involving alleged congressmen-contractors.

“We don’t know what their intentions are in filing the impeachment complaint. But what we know right now is that the Partylist Representative who endorsed the complaint was one of the ‘congtractors’ mentioned by the ICI,” Castro told reporters.

Records show that Nisay owns JVN Construction and Trading, a Central Luzon-based construction firm registered with the Department of Trade and Industry in January 2022.

Based on data from the Department of Public Works and Highways, the company allegedly secured P73 million worth of government projects in 2021 and 2022, prior to Nisay’s election as a party-list representative.

Baseless

Castro also said the grounds cited in the impeachment complaint—including allegations that the President is a drug addict—have already been addressed by the Palace and dismissed as baseless.

“But still, we have to have a copy of the complaint to give an intelligent response to that,” she said.

On claims of the alleged kidnapping of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to the International Criminal Court, Castro said the matter is merely a “case of first impression,” stressing that no ruling exists and calling the allegation groundless.

As for the impeachment process at the House of Representatives, which hinges on numbers, Castro said the President remains confident in lawmakers.

“The President believes that our lawmakers will use their intelligence, heart, and the rule of law, and not for their own welfare. The President continuously believes in the institution,” she said.

Earlier, Malacañang said it recognizes that the filing of an impeachment complaint is part of the democratic process enshrined in the Constitution.

“We respect this process and trust that Congress, as a coequal branch of government, will discharge its duties with honesty, integrity, and fidelity to the rule of law. The President fully upholds the Constitution and remains confident in the strength of our democratic institutions,” the Palace said.

“While these processes take their course, the President will continue to govern, ensuring that public services remain uninterrupted and that the work of government stays focused on improving the lives of our people. Our institutions are strong, our processes are clear, and the administration remains committed to stability, accountability, and the betterment of every Filipino,” it added.