THANK YOU
HOUSE leaders yesterday thanked President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for respecting Congress’ constitutional mandate to act on the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., Deputy Speaker David “Jay-Jay” Suarez, and House Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe dismissed claims of presidential interference, stressing that the legislature operates independently and is simply fulfilling its mandate.
They echoed Presidential Legal Counsel Juan Ponce Enrile’s position that once an impeachment complaint is filed, Congress is duty-bound to act.
“This isn’t about politics; it’s about upholding our constitutional duty,” Gonzales pointed out.
The Pampanga 3rd District representative added: “The Constitution is clear—once a complaint is filed, Congress cannot simply ignore it. We follow the law, not personal agendas.”
Suarez, who represents Quezon Province’s 2nd District in Congress, noted that the impeachment effort was not initiated by administration allies but by groups outside the President’s coalition.
“The President discouraged impeachment because the country has bigger priorities. But three complaints were filed—not by us. The moment they reached Congress, we had no choice but to proceed,” Suarez said.
President Marcos has categorically denied any role in the impeachment process, and House leaders backed his assertion that Congress acts independently.
“The notion that nothing moves in Congress without the President’s approval is pure fiction,” Dalipe said.
“We do not take orders from Malacañang. The House is an independent branch of government,” added the Zamboanga City 2nd District representative.
The Chief Executive himself dismissed the idea that he is pulling the strings, stating that he does not give Congress instructions and that lawmakers have their own mandate and process.
House leaders also defended Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, the President’s son, against criticism for being the first to sign the impeachment complaint.
“This isn’t about who signed first or last. Every congressman has a duty to act, and Congressman Sandro Marcos did what any lawmaker would do in this situation,” Suarez said.
Claims that lawmakers were bribed to sign the Articles of Impeachment were also dismissed as baseless and logistically impossible.
“The President himself exposed how laughable this claim is,” Gonzales said. “He was a congressman and a senator. He knows how this process works. The idea of distributing millions to over 200 lawmakers is pure fantasy.”
With the House having fulfilled its constitutional mandate, all eyes now turn to the Senate, which will determine the next steps.
President Marcos has left the door open for a special session if the Senate requests it.
“The House has carried out its mandate. If the Senate calls for a special session, we’re ready. The next move is theirs,” Dalipe said.
Despite the political storm, Suarez assured the public that Congress remains focused on economic recovery, social programs, and national security.
“The impeachment process will not derail our work. The House will continue prioritizing the nation’s urgent needs,” he said.
House leaders vowed that due process will prevail over politics and the Constitution will be upheld.
