(UPDATE) MANILA, Philippines — At least two impeachment complaints were filed at the House of Representatives on Thursday although both were not received by the Office of the Secretary-General because the official authorized to accept the documents was out of the country, incurring the ire of the complainants.
A group, led by former representative Michael Defensor and former Ilocos Sur governor Chavit Singson, filed a third impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand Marcos, which was refused by the OSG due to the absence of its head, Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil.
Aside from Defensor and Singson, Manuelito Luna, Jacinto Paras, Cathy Binag, Harold Respiciom Virgilio Garcia and Ferdinand Topacio were also present.
In a statement read during their press briefing after the filing, Defensor said that the refusal of the House OSG to accept the impeachment complaint was "a clear violation of both the Rules of the House and the 1987 Philippine Constitution."
"Under the Constitution, the House of Representatives has the sole power to initiate impeachment proceedings. The Rules of the House explicitly provide a ministerial duty for the Office of the Secretary General to receive and record impeachment complaints that are duly filed." Defensor said.
Their complaint accuses Marcos of culpable violation of the Constitution, high crimes, graft and corruption and betrayal of public trust.
Earlier in the day, the Koalisyong Makabayan's impeachment complaint against Marcos was also refused by the OSG for the same reason, forcing them to leave the complaint at the office.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Chairman Renato Reyes, former Bayan Muna representatives Teodoro Casino and Neri Colmenares, former Gabriela Partylist rep. Liza Maza, and former ACT Teachers Partylist rep. France Castro, were among those who filed the complaint.
In their complaint, the group accused Marcos of betrayal of public trust due to his non veto of the unprogrammed appropriations in the 2026 budget, as well as the unprogrammed appropriations in the 2022-2025 budgets that led to the flood control scandal.
It was endorsed by the Makabayan Bloc, led by current ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, Gabriela Rep. Sarah Elago, and Kabataan Partylist Rep. Renee Co.
Under House rules, any impeachment complaint should be submitted first to the Secretary-General's office before it would be transmitted to the Office of the Speaker."
Ang ginawa na lang namin ay nag iwan kami ng kopya sa opisina and as far as the complainants are concerned, we have complied with the rules na finile namin sa Secretary-General yung complaint, (What we did is we left a copy in the office and as far as the complainants are concerned, we have complied with the rules that we filed the complaint at the Office of the Secretary General)," Casino said.
On Monday, Lawyer Andre de Jesus filed the first impeachment complaint against Marcos, which was endorsed by Pusong Pinoy Partylist Rep. Jernie Jett Nisay.
'Prove it'
In a press conference, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro insisted that Marcos acted in accordance with the Constitution and the law.
"When they say it's abusive, they really need to prove it. If they can't present any proof in their complaint, they're just making up stories, weaving stories," Castro said.
"So, these are their accusations. Again, the President is confident that he has not violated any law and has not committed any impeachable offense," she added.