By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio and Chloe Mari A. Hufana, Reporters
TWO separate groups tried to file fresh impeachment complaints against Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Thursday, but the House of Representatives declined to receive the documents, citing the absence of its secretary-general.
House Secretary-General Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil was out of the country, preventing their official acceptance, according to the activist plaintiffs.
About 30 left-wing activists accused Mr. Marcos of betrayal of public trust over a multibillion-peso graft scandal linked to flood control and other infrastructure projects. A second complaint was also brought by a self-described nonpartisan group, but both efforts were turned away by the House.
Moves to impeach Mr. Marcos gained momentum earlier this month, with critics saying public anger over corruption in infrastructure spending had fueled renewed attempts to remove the President from office.
An initial impeachment complaint was filed earlier this week, accusing the President of benefiting from irregular contracts, and is expected to be taken up by the House Justice committee when Congress resumes session next week.
The complaint filed by left-wing groups described the infrastructure graft as the “most systematic, brazen and devastating scheme” to plunder public funds, according to a copy shared with reporters. The 37-page document accused the President of being the “ultimate recipient and beneficiary” of kickbacks tied to flood control projects.
The complaint was endorsed by Party-list Reps. Antonio L. Tinio, Renee Louise M. Co and Sarah Jane Elago, members of the House minority bloc.
Several government officials, politicians and private contractors were accused of pocketing funds from the P545 billion spent on flood control projects since 2022, based on government reports cited in the filing.
Activists led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) said the Marcos administration’s method of allocating infrastructure funds to congressional districts fostered large-scale corruption.
They cited the “BBM Parametric Formula,” which they said allowed the President to override technical requirements and local needs in favor of political allies.
“The consequences have been catastrophic,” they said. “While the President’s inner circle and political allies amassed billions in advanced kickbacks, the Filipino people were left with substandard or nonexistent infrastructure.”
Filipinos did not elect Mr. Marcos for his administration to engage in “systematic looting of the Treasury,” the complaint added. “Accountability is not optional.”
Bayan Vice-President Teodoro A. Casiño said the complaint was validly filed despite the secretary-general’s absence.
“We left a copy at the office, and as far as the complainants are concerned, we have complied with the rules,” he told a news briefing in Filipino.
Ms. Garafil did not immediately rely to a Viber message seeking comment.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan President Renato M. Reyes, Jr. said their group prepared the complaint as early as January but decided to proceed now after the first impeachment case was filed.
“We don’t want accountability to become a race to file first,” he said. “That’s not right.”
Under the 1987 Constitution, Congress may initiate only one impeachment proceeding against the same official within a calendar year. Some lawmakers have warned that the first complaint could trigger the one-year ban, effectively blocking other cases regardless of their substance.
A separate group also tried to lodge an impeachment complaint, citing 10 grounds, including culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust and graft, according to complainant Manuelito D. Luna.
Former Party-list Rep. Michael T. Defensor, one of the complainants, said the refusal to accept their filing violated the Constitution.
“To block this process is not merely a procedural error,” he told a news briefing. “It is an obstruction of a lawful remedy.”
‘FABRICATING A STORY’Photos taken during the briefing showed the complaint accused Mr. Marcos of corruption tied to flood control projects, illegal drug use and ordering the arrest and transfer of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte to The Hague to face charges of crimes against humanity.
Mr. Defensor said his group did not leave a copy of the complaint after it was rejected and does not plan to return to the House to refile.
“If this is not received, there’s no point,” he said, adding that the group is considering legal action before the Supreme Court.
Malacañang said President Marcos has not committed any impeachable offense and is prepared to face the complaints.
“The President told us that he is ready to face this because he knows he has not violated any law,” Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro told a news briefing in Filipino.
She challenged the complainants to prove their claims, saying they lacked evidence. “They are merely fabricating a story,” she said.
Ms. Castro added that Mr. Marcos hopes investors and the public would continue to trust the administration and focus on economic recovery.
Earlier this week, Malacañang dismissed the allegations in the first impeachment complaint but said it respects the filing as part of the democratic process.
Impeachment under the Constitution may be pursued for culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes or betrayal of public trust. For a case to advance, it must be endorsed by at least a third of congressmen before being sent to the Senate, which sits as an impeachment court.
The Philippines is investigating a multibillion-peso flood control scam after Mr. Marcos himself disclosed collusion between lawmakers and contractors in public works projects.
