Statement of Malacañang on Filing of Marcos Jr. Impeachment Complaints
Malacañang claimed that the impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will allegedly affect the Philippine economy.
The ban on the filing of impeachment raps against Marcos Jr. has officially started after the House of Representatives has transmitted the impeachment complaints to the Committee on Justice. The impeachment raps were filed by lawyer Andre de Jesus and the Makabayan bloc.
The first impeachment complaint against Marcos Jr. was endorsed by Deputy Minority Leader at Pusong Pinoy Party-list Rep. Jett Nisay while the second impeachment rap was endorsed by party-list opposition lawmakers Antonio Tinio of ACT Teachers, Sarah Elago of Gabriela and Renee Co of Kabataan party-list. Both accuse the President of alleged betrayal of public trust.
Several grounds were cited under the first impeachment case against the President. One of which is the alleged surrender of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Here are the grounds cited by the lawyer on accusing Marcos Jr. of alleged betrayal of public trust in the first impeachment rap filed against the President:
- Respondent ordered and enabled the kidnapping and surrender of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
- Respondent is unfit to serve as President due to drug addiction.
- Respondent committed betrayal of public trust when he failed to veto unprogrammed appropriations (UA) and other unconstitutional provisions in the General Appropriations Bill (GAB).
- Respondent engaged in graft and corruption through kickbacks and ghost projects.
- Respondent created the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to shield corrupt allies.
- Respondent violated the Constitution and betrayed public trust by surrendering former President Duterte to the ICC.
Prior to the filing of impeachment raps against Pres. Bongbong Marcos, Malacañang stressed that the President is ready to face any impeachment complaint that may be filed against him. According to Palace press officer undersecretary Claire Castro, the President did not steal money from the people.
Even after the first impeachment complaint was filed against Marcos Jr., Malacañang said the President is not bothered by it. According to Palace press officer Usec. Claire Castro, the President is confident that he did not do anything wrong.
Recently, after another impeachment complaint was filed against Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the complaints being referred to the House Committee on Justice, Malacañang was once again asked about the complaints during a press conference. According to News5, during the press con, Atty. Claire Castro claimed that the President respects the activities and decisions of the House.
“Iginagalang po ng Pangulo kung anuman po ang activities, ginagawa, at mga desisyon ng House of Representatives so hayaan po natin ang prosesong umandar nang naaayon sa batas,” the Palace official said.
Furthermore, based on the post, Malacañang press officer undersecretary Claire Castro added that not only Marcos Jr. will be affected by the impeachment complaints filed against him but as well as the economy of the country.
“Sa pagsasampa ng impeachment complaint, hindi lang ang Pangulo ang maaapektuhan kundi ang ekonomiya ng buong Pilipinas,” Castro said.
Atty. Claire Castro was also asked about the decision of presidential son and Ilocos Norte Congressman Sandro Marco to step back from participating in the House process of the impeachment complaint against his father. According to the Malacañang official, “it is a hallmark of a stateman” and it shows the younger Marcos’ character and decency.