Leonen impeachment case moves forward in House
MANILA, Philippines — On the “explicit instructions” from Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, Majority Leader Martin Romualdez on Sunday said the impeachment complaint against Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen would be included in the order of business when the House of Representatives resumes session on Monday.
Romualdez, chair of the House committee on rules, said the referral of the impeachment complaint against Leonen would be discussed by his committee then referred to the committee on justice.
Romualdez said Velasco sent his committee on March 25 the impeachment complaint filed by Edwin Cordevilla, secretary general of the Filipino League of Advocates for Good Government.
“We will act on it and include it in the order of business,” Romualdez said in a statement.
Failure to file SALNs
Cordevilla filed an impeachment complaint against Leonen on Dec. 7 last year, saying Leonen “clearly lacks integrity because he failed to file his statement of assets and liabilities (SALN)” for 15 years during his tenure at the University of the Philippines.
Ilocos Norte Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba, a cousin of former Sen. Bongbong Marcos, endorsed the complaint.
Bayanihan 3 tackled, too
Velasco told reporters last week that Leonen would get a fair trial on the impeachment complaint against him.
Aside from the Leonen impeachment, Romualdez said the House would also prioritize the passage of the P405.6-billion Bayanihan 3.
“We need Bayanihan 3 to help ensure that the economy recovers quickly from the [COVID-19]-induced crisis in a strong, sustainable, and resilient manner,” he said.
He said he was confident that the House would pass the measure before it goes on sine die adjournment on June 4.
The House committees on economic affairs, social services and ways and means have already approved the bill and it is now pending before the appropriations committee.
It will then be returned to the mother committee for the approval of the committee report before it is brought to the plenary for deliberations. INQ
