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Political parties backs Justice panel move to junk PBBM impeachment complaints

Alvin Murcia

The decision of the House of Representatives affirming the ruling of the Committee on Justice dismissing the impeachment complaints filed against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., citing lack of sufficient factual basis, was fully supported by various political parties.

In a manifestation before the plenary, Butuan City Rep. Jose “Joboy” S. Aquino II, secretary general of the ruling Lakas–CMD, said the Justice Committee, after hearings held on 2, 3, and 4 Feb. 2026, found that while the complaints complied with formal requirements, they were “manifestly insufficient in substance.”

“The allegations presented—ranging from the arrest of the former President to claims of drug addiction and budgetary misconduct—were found to be anchored on hearsay, unauthenticated documents, and speculative narratives rather than the recital of facts required by our Rules,” Aquino said.

“Our duty is to protect the sanctity of the impeachment process from being utilized as a tool for political disruption,” he added. “By dismissing these unsubstantiated charges, we choose the rule of law over political noise.”

Negros Occidental Rep. Javi Benitez of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) said the dismissal reaffirmed “the stability and continuity of a government that is at work,” and urged Congress to refocus on legislation that delivers on commitments to the Filipino people.

“Stability is not the enemy of progress. Stability is its pre-condition,” Benitez said.

On the other hand, Quezon Rep. Mark Enverga of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) echoed the position, saying his party “fully supports the findings by the House Committee on Justice dismissing the two impeachment complaints against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for insufficiency in substance.”

“The committee acted squarely within the bounds of the Constitution and the rules of the House,” Enverga said, stressing that impeachment “must be anchored on evidence and legal discipline, not political narratives or policy disagreements.”

Manila Rep. Rolando Valeriano, a stalwart of the National Unity Party (NUP), said, “I rise today on behalf of the National Unity Party to express our support for the recommendation of the House Committee on Justice to dismiss the impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos.”

“As lawmakers, it is our duty to respect this process. If it lacks substance, we cannot force it. That is how we protect the credibility of impeachment as a constitutional remedy.

“Sa panahong maraming hamon na kinakaharap ng bansa, the Filipino people expect this Congress to remain focused on its work—passing laws, addressing economic concerns, and responding to the needs of our constituents. For this reason, Madam Speaker, the National Unity Party supports the dismissal of the impeachment complaint and stands by the finding of the House Committee on Justice. Maraming salamat po,” Valeriano said.

FPJ Panday Bayanihan Rep. Brian Poe of the Party-List Coalition Foundation Inc. (PCFI) said his coalition likewise supports the committee report, framing the issue as a choice between prolonged political conflict and national recovery.

“The PCFI believes that this is a time for healing and unity, not for the deepening of the political divide,” Poe said. “Our country is currently at a critical economic juncture. The demand of the times is to shift our full attention to the pressing needs of the Filipino people.”

Poe said backing the committee report does not mean abandoning accountability, but reflects confidence in independent institutions tasked to enforce it.

He also pointed to economic indicators as reasons to preserve political stability, noting growth projections of 5.2 to 5.6 percent this year and a 5.7-percent outlook for 2026, as well as the country’s recent $2.75-billion global bond issuance that was oversubscribed by nearly $6 billion.

“Our creditors aren’t looking for political noise. They are looking for credit strength,” Poe said, citing Treasury data and survey results showing declines in self-rated poverty and food poverty in the fourth quarter of 2025.

“And that is why PCFI remains committed to being a partner for economic growth and progress,” Poe said. “We must show the world that we are stable.”