House minority bloc ensures ‘proper’ impeachment procedure for Leonen case

Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen

MANILA, Philippines — The House minority bloc will ensure that the “proper procedure” is followed in deciding on the impeachment complaint filed against Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, Minority Leader Joseph Stephen Paduano said Friday.

Paduano made the remark as the House committee on justice is set to conduct its first hearing on the impeachment case next week, May 27.

“Ipasisiguro namin sa minoriya na sinusunod ang tamang proseso sa pagtukoy at pagpataw ng desisyon sa kasong ito (We will make sure that the minority follows the proper process in deciding this case),” Paduano said in a statement.

Ako Bicol Rep. Alfredo Garbin Jr., who serves as the vice-chairperson of the committee on justice, earlier said the impeachment complaint is not included in the House’s priorities as the lower chamber hustles to approve other measures before the sine die adjournment on June 5.

Edwin Cordevilla, secretary-general of the Filipino League of Advocates for Good Government, filed the 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 electoral protest of Marcos against Vice President Leni Robredo, said Congress should not spend time on “false issues raised by some for clearly personal or vindictive reasons.”

/MUF