Malacanang’s press briefer, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro, has provoked former lawmaker Mike Defensor to prove that the Executive Department is blocking their impeachment complaint filed against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
This was after the dubbed the impeachment complaint filed by Atty. Andre de Jesus, a “scam,” stating that the Chief Executive had a hand in blocking additional cases filed by other parties.
“"Very critical sa akin yung action na ginawa ng Secretary-General’s Office. And I’m saying now, because of that action, in totality, hindi lang ang Speaker of the House, kundi ang Presidente mismo involved sa pag-block ng impeachment complaint na ito. Ayaw nilang pakingan at ayaw nilang sagutin yung hinaing ng taumbayan," said Defensor in a press conference.
Castro hit back and said Defensor should substantiate his accusation against Atty. De Jesus.
“Anyway, Atty. De Jesus already admitted that he worked as counsel for the PDP Laban Duterte faction. We have nothing to do with their bickering,” according to Castro.
The first impeachment complaint, which was endorsed by Pusong Pinoy party-list Rep. Jernie Nisay, has been met with doubts, with the opposition groups dismissing it as a “scripted distraction,” including Presidential sister, Senator Imee Marcos.
While the second impeachment complaint by progressive groups and a third filed by lawyers and former lawmakers allied with the Dutertes were submitted to the House Office of the Secretary General on Thursday, but were not accepted since Secretary Cheloy Garafil was unavailable.
The staff of Garafil declined to accept the impeachment complaint, saying that they are not authorized to do so.
Meanwhile, Presidential son and Ilocos Norte Representative Sandro Marcos said no one is blocking the impeachment complaints filed against his father.
The young Marcos, who represented his father during the launch of Bagong Pilipinas Merit-Based Scholarship Program at the Ilocos Norte Centennial Arena in Laoag City on Friday, maintained that the House of Representatives is Constitutionally-bound to hear and accept impeachment cases for any impeachable officer, whether it’s the President or not.
“So, for those who are saying na baka haharangin ang impeachment, I cannot do that. I have to perform my duty as Majority Leader, to the Constitution and my mandate. That is to say that I cannot stop any impeachment complaint from being referred to the floor or to the Committee on Justice. We have to go through the process and again, the President and Malacanang have stated that he is confident na wala syang ginawang mali,” according to Rep. Marcos.
Undersecretary Castro on Tuesday said the impeachment complaint against Marcos could hurt the Philippine economy as it could affect investors’ confidence in the President. (RAFFY AYENG)