House prodded to exert ‘prudence and fairness’ on Leonen impeachment complaint

MANILA, Philippines — House Minority Leader Joseph Stephen Paduano has called on Congress to exercise “prudence and fairness” on the impeachment complaint against Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen.

“We call on our colleagues, most especially members of the Justice Committee to exercise prudence and fairness. May we be guided by the Almighty in the dispensation of this impeachment complaint,” Paduano said in a statement.

“In this regard, the Minority will perform its constitutionally mandated duty in the impeachment process. In so doing, we will ensure that in the determination of sufficiency in form and substance, the Rules of Impeachment will be strictly followed to the letter,” he went on.

The impeachment complaint against Leonen was filed by Edwin Cordevilla, Secretary-General of the Filipino League of Advocates for Good Government.

It was endorsed by Ilocos Norte Rep. Angelo Barba, cousin of former senator Bongbong Marcos whose electoral protest against Vice President Leni Robredo is still pending at the Presidential Electoral Tribunal (PET). The Supreme Court sits as the PET.

The complaint alleged that Leonen committed a betrayal of trust when he failed to file his Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) during his tenure at the University of the Philippines.

Leonen has cautioned House lawmakers against entertaining “false issues raised by some for clearly personal or vindictive reasons.” Miggy Dumlao, Trainee

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