President Marcos happy Impeachment ‘distractions’ over

MANILA, Philippines — Describing impeachment complaints as “distractions,” President Marcos yesterday said that he was “happy” the charges against him had been junked. 

The President made the remarks during a chance interview after attending an event at the Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center in Manila.

The House justice committee on Wednesday dismissed impeachment complaints against Marcos for “insufficiency in substance.” 

“I’m glad that, of course – I’m glad that the impeachment complaints against me have been – are finished,” the President told reporters. 

“And as the statement that we made earlier, I’m happy it’s done and we can get on with our work… Because these things are distractions from the things that we were doing,” he said. 

The President, however, said he “wasn’t very worried,” noting that there were “no real grounds” for the charges.

“Although I wasn’t very worried because I saw the impeachment complaint and I knew that we would be – that I would be all right in terms of the impeachment. Because there were no – there were no real grounds for the impeachment,” he said.

Marcos added the complaints were a “political move as usual.” 

The House panel junked the first complaint against Marcos filed by lawyer Andre de Jesus and the second petition filed by former Gabriela congresswoman Liza Maza. 

Unless the plenary reverses the committee decision, the dismissal of the complaints earns the President a one-year immunity from impeachment. 

Meanwhile, Marcos declined to comment on the impeachment charges filed against his ally-turned-arch critic, Vice President Sara Duterte.

He was asked to comment on the transmittal of the complaint against Duterte to the office of Speaker Faustino Dy III.

“I have no reaction. That’s not my job. That’s the job of the House,” Marcos said. “Let them do their job. I’m sure they will handle it properly.”

However, the Makabayan bloc denounced President Marcos for “belittling” the second impeachment complaint filed against him.

ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio, Kabataan Rep. Renee Louise Co and Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Sarah Jane Elago said there will be “no moving on” for them until accountability in Malacañang corruption is achieved.

“The President knows the case is strong, backed by overwhelming documentary evidence and whistleblower testimony,” the Makabayan bloc representatives said in a joint statement. — Jose Rodel Clapano, Janvic Mateo