Makabayan bloc: Marcos rejection of impeachment vs Duterte violation of separation of powers
Metro Manila, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s advice to House lawmakers, discouraging a possible impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, “constitutes a clear violation” of the co-equal branches of government’s separation of powers, the Makabayan bloc said.
Marcos confirmed that he discouraged congressmen from filing a complaint, saying the impeachment is unimportant.
In a joint statement, ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro, Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel said Marcos’ move shows “weak leadership.”
"Nakakabahala ang lantarang pakikialam ng Pangulo sa mga proseso ng Kongreso. Hindi dapat idikta ng Malacañang kung paano gagawin ng Kongreso ang mandato nito para managot ang mga opisyal na may katiwalian," they said on Friday, Nov. 29.
[Translation: The president’s interference in the Congress’ processes is alarming. Malacañang should not dictate how the Congress will do its mandate of holding erring officials accountable.]
"The House leadership must demonstrate its independence and take a firm stand based on evidence and public interest, not on the President's preferences. Congress should not allow itself to become a rubber stamp of the executive branch," they added.
The opposition lawmakers said they are preparing an impeachment complaint, together with other progressive organizations, because that is what the situation and the public call for.
No impeachment talks among majority
Meanwhile, the House majority reiterated that overthrowing the vice president is not in their agenda.
But they said they will uphold the public’s rights to file.
“Hindi rin natin tinatanggal ang karapatan ng bawat organisasyon, ng bawat mamamayang Pilipino na gustong maghain ng impeachment complaint at hindi rin natin tinatanggalan ng karapatan ang sinuman sa Kongreso na mag-endorse nito,” House Assistant Majority Leader and Zambales 1st District Rep. Jay Khonghun said in a press briefing.
[Translation: We are not removing the rights of each organization and Filipino citizen who wants to file an impeachment complaint, and we are not removing the rights of anyone in Congress who wants to endorse it.]
In a joint statement, Senior Deputy Majority Leader Dong Gonzales Jr., Deputy Speaker Jay-Jay Suarez, and House Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe said they will do their jobs if anyone lodges a complaint.
“We also recognize that the House of Representatives has a constitutional duty to act on impeachment complaints filed by ordinary citizens against impeachable officials. This is not just the responsibility of the institution, but also the individual duty of each congressman to uphold the Constitution,” they said.
Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV earlier said that there is a looming impeachment complaint against Duterte. He did not disclose who the complainant was or when it will be lodged.
