A Mindanao lawmaker said the impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is moving strictly within the bounds of the Constitution and House rules, even as questions continue to swirl over timing and House leadership.

Process under the Constitution

Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong stressed that the complaint is being handled in line with the 1987 Constitution and long-standing House procedures. Like any verified impeachment complaint, he explained, it must go through a defined process — filing with the Office of the Secretary General, referral to the Speaker, inclusion in the Order of Business within 10 session days, and referral to the House Committee on Justice within three session days.

“Referral to the Committee on Justice is a standard and substantive step in the impeachment process,” Adiong said, stressing that it simply opens a formal review and “does not pre-judge any outcome.”

He added that impeachment rules are meant to apply evenly, “whoever is in Malacañang,” to protect due process and institutional stability rather than serve partisan interests.

On the secretary general’s absence

Adiong also addressed speculation that the absence of House Secretary General Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil was being used to delay the filing of impeachment complaints. He clarified that Garafil is currently abroad on a pre-scheduled official engagement to receive an honor from Taiwan’s foreign ministry, and that her temporary absence “does not affect the constitutional handling of impeachment matters.”

Some reports noted that at least two additional complaints were not formally received because the secretary general was not physically present, prompting questions from activist groups. Adiong countered, however, that the House remains duty-bound to act on any valid complaint once it is properly filed under the rules.

Standards and outlook

A stalwart of Lakas-CMD, Adiong reiterated that impeachment is a serious constitutional mechanism and not a political stunt. He said the House is obligated to handle any complaint in an orderly, rules-based, and transparent manner.

Impeachment, he added, should never be reduced to “press releases or partisan maneuvering,” noting that only complaints backed by clear facts and solid proof of impeachable offenses — such as culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, or betrayal of public trust — are likely to move beyond the committee stage.