Sandro Marcos inhibits from House impeachment proceedings vs father

MANILA, Philippines – House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos said he is inhibiting from impeachment proceedings against his father, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

“While I am fully aware that the Rules of the House do not require my inhibition, and while I remain confident in the independence and professionalism of my colleagues, I recognize that leadership sometimes calls for restraint rather than participation,” the younger Marcos said.

“My recusal ensures that no question may be raised about the fairness, objectivity, or legitimacy of the process, and that the focus remains where it properly belongs — on the Constitution, the facts, and the rule of law,” he added.

As majority leader, the Ilocos Norte congressman chairs the rules committee, which will be in charge of calendaring any impeachment complaint forwarded by Speaker Bojie Dy to the plenary.

It is difficult to imagine how the younger Marcos will keep a hands-off stance on impeachment matters in the House, composed of the President’s allies.

There are two impeachment complaints against the President that are officially filed with the House.

The first one, endorsed by Pusong Pinoy Representative Jett Nisay, wants the President removed from office for enabling the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte on an International Criminal Court warrant, among other offenses. Observers regard it as a weak complaint that will easily be dismissed by the justice committee.

The second complaint, endorsed by the Makabayan bloc, accuses the President of betrayal of public trust in connection with the flood control scandal and overall budget mess.

Both complaints have yet to be included in the order of business in the plenary, since they were filed when the House was still on holiday break. – Rappler.com