Leonen impeachment not priority before House adjourns on June 5 — solon
Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen
MANILA, Philippines — The impeachment complaint against Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen is not included in the House of Representatives’ priorities as the lower chamber hustles to approve other measures before the sine die adjournment in June 5.
According to Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Alfredo Garbin, who serves as the vice-chairperson of the House committee on justice, the Leonen impeachment complaint was not among the priority measures mentioned by Speaker Lord Allan Velasco during their meeting on Monday.
“As to the order of priority, wala siya doon sa in-enumerate nya,” Garbin told reporters in an online interview.
Garbin said among the priority measures of the House before the June 5 adjournment were the proposed Bayanihan to Arise As One Act or Bayanihan 3; the proposed economic amendments to the 1987 Constitution; and, the resolutions concurring with President Rodrigo Duterte’s proclamations granting amnesty to rebels who agreed to lay down their arms and return to the fold of the law.
The lawmaker likewise said he does not see that hearings on the Leonen impeachment case to be finished before the scheduled sine die adjournment.
“Tingin ko mukhang mahihirapan kasi [ilalagay] pa lang sa calendar of business then syempre, mag-prepare din yung committee on justice,” Garbin said.
“Tingnan natin kasi syempre pag na-refer yan sa committee on justice, baka mayroon pang mga opposition na mag-file so let’s see,” he added.
Currently, the impeachment complaint against Leonen is under the House committee on rules and is expected to be referred to the committee on justice during Tuesday’s session.
Once referred to the committee on justice, Garbin explained that the panel still has to determine the sufficiency of the complaint both in form and in substance.
Garbin then said that once the committee determines sufficiency in the complaint’s form and substance, they still need to get Leonen’s response regarding the impeachment call.
Edwin Cordevilla, secretary-general of the Filipino League of Advocates for Good Government, filed an impeachment complaint against Leonen in December 2020.
Cordevilla claimed that the magistrate “clearly lacks integrity because he failed to file his statement of assets and liabilities and net worth” for 15 years during his tenure at the University of the Philippines.
The impeachment complaint was endorsed by Ilocos Norte Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba, a cousin of former Sen. Bongbong Marcos.
Leonen, who wrote the decision junking the election protest of Marcos against Vice President Leni Robredo, has said that Congress should not spend time on “false issues raised by some for clearly personal or vindictive reasons.”
