Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Sandro Marcos (left), and President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (Facebook)

Leaders of the House of the Representatives have thanked President Marcos for his hands-off approach to the chamber's action on the impeachment complaints leveled against Vice President Sara Duterte.

This, as Senior Deputy Speaker Pampanga 3rd district Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., Deputy Speaker Quezon 2nd district Rep. David “Jay-Jay” Suarez, and House Majority Leader Manuel Zamboanga City 2nd district Rep. Jose “Mannix” Dalipe dismissed claims of presidential interference in the House's handing of the impeachment raps.

They also 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. The Constitution is clear—once a complaint is filed, Congress cannot simply ignore it. We follow the law, not personal agendas," Gonzales said.

Suarez 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, referring to the first three complaints filed in December 2024.

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 Mindanaoan.

The Chief Executive himself dismissed the idea that he is pulling the strings, and stated that he does not give Congress instructions and that lawmakers have their own mandate and process.

Sandro's action defended

At the same time, the ranking solons also defended their colleague, Senior Deputy Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte 1st district Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, from criticism in connection with the impeachment case.

This, after media outlets highlighted that the presidential son was literally the first congressman to sign the fourth impeachment complaint against Vice President Duterte. 

On the strength of 215 signatures, this particular complaint was the one transmitted to the Senate last Feb. 5 before both chambers went on recess.

“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.