THE House Committee on Justice on Monday declared the two impeachment complaints filed against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sufficient in form.
However, the committee clarified that this ruling does not signify approval of the complaints, but rather allows the panel to proceed to evaluate their substance.
The committee voted 46-1 with one abstention to declare sufficient in form the first complaint, and 35-9 with one abstention for the second complaint. Leaders of the justice committee emphasized that the proceedings are still in a preliminary and strictly procedural phase, and the merits of the complaints have yet to be addressed.
Panel chair Batangas Rep. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro stated that the committee’s action was confined to checking whether the complaints met technical requirements under House rules, such as being signed by the complainant, verified, based on personal knowledge, and having an endorsement from a member of the House.
Luistro said the committee will next determine whether the allegations meet the constitutional threshold for impeachment.
She outlined the five-step impeachment process, beginning with the determination of sufficiency in form, followed by the review of sufficiency in substance.
If both complaints are found sufficient in substance, the committee will issue notice to the respondent to file an answer and will require the submission of pleadings, affidavits, and counter-affidavits under oath. The final stage is the determination of probable cause, after which the committee’s findings will be reflected in a formal report to be transmitted to the plenary for consideration.
