Manila: House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander 'Sandro' Marcos emphasized that the House of Representatives will not obstruct and will duly process any impeachment complaint filed against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. Marcos stated that the House is constitutionally obligated to act on any impeachment complaint once it is formally filed with the Office of the House Secretary General and then transmitted to the Office of the Speaker. The matter will then be referred to the committee on rules for inclusion in the Order of Business and subsequently directed to the committee on justice.
According to Philippines News Agency, Marcos pointed out that as Majority Leader, it is his office's responsibility to refer any impeachment complaint to the House Committee on Justice after it has been included in the Calendar of Business and read in plenary. He stressed the importance of the House hearing and considering any impeachment complaint, regardless of its target, even if it is against his father. Marcos underlined that impeachment is a constitutional process governed by rules and due process, and that the House is expected to act without prejudice and in accordance with established procedures.
Meanwhile, Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Zia Alonto Adiong defended the decision of the Office of the Secretary General not to receive an impeachment complaint in the absence of Secretary General Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil. Adiong stated that this action is required by House Rules and longstanding parliamentary practice. He explained that the receipt of an impeachment complaint is a formal constitutional act that must strictly comply with House Rules and cannot be improvised, delegated casually, or reduced to a mere drop-off.
Adiong further elaborated that under the Rules of the House of Representatives, impeachment complaints must be formally filed with and received by the Secretary General, who serves as the official custodian of House records and certifications. The acceptance of such a complaint is not merely a ministerial act; the Secretary General must determine whether the complaint is complete and complies with constitutional and rules-based requirements on form, including verification, endorsements, and accompanying documents.
He noted that in the absence of the Secretary General, or a duly authorized acting official, her office cannot validly accept an impeachment complaint, as this would raise serious questions regarding the integrity, completeness, and official acknowledgment of the filing. Accepting an impeachment complaint without the Secretary General would expose the House to procedural challenges and claims of irregularity, which would be a far more serious breach of duty.
Adiong added that the Secretary General's absence is due to an official, pre-scheduled overseas engagement that is fully documented and publicly known, emphasizing that there is no refusal to receive any complaint, only adherence to the rules that govern how such complaints are properly received. He highlighted that the rules on filing exist precisely to protect the integrity of the impeachment process, asserting that compliance with the Rules is not obstruction, but the Constitution at work.
