A group led by administration critics said the failure of the House of Representatives to receive a third impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should not be treated as an exoneration.

“Non-receipt of the third impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should not be misconstrued as a ruling on the merits of the case or a finding of innocence,” the group said in a statement.

They argued that it was “a procedural decision that prevented the constitutional process of accountability from even beginning. 

The statement was issued after former Anakalusugan Party-list Rep. Mike Defensor and former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, along with six other complainants, failed to file another impeachment complaint on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 22, because of the absence of House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil.

Garafil is currently attending an official engagement in Taiwan and is expected to return on Monday, Jan. 26, when plenary sessions resume following the House’s month-long holiday recess.

During a press conference on Friday, Jan. 23, at a restaurant in Quezon Memorial Circle, Defensor said the group went to the lower chamber to explain and pursue their impeachment complaint against the President.

“Nandito kami para ipaliwanag ang kaso na sinasampa namin (we are here to explain the case that we are filing), the impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr.,” Defensor said.

He said that the House’s refusal to receive the complaint violated established constitutional procedure.

 “Ito tahasan naming sinasabi, mali, iligal at labag sa ating saligang batas (We say this outright, wrong, illegal and against our constitution),” he said. 

Defensor said jurisprudence is clear on the role of the Office of the Secretary General in impeachment proceedings.

“Malinaw na ang sinabi ng SC tungkol dito, marami nang desisyon. Ministerial ang pagtanggap ng Secretary General at ito’y dadalhin sa Speaker’s Office,” he said.

He asserted that impeachment is the only legal remedy available to citizens seeking to hold a sitting president accountable.

“Each of us individually and collectively -- the only chance to file a case against the President is through an impeachment process,” Defensor said. 

“Hindi ka pwede mag-file sa Ombudsman, hindi ka pwede mag-file sa Presidente ng isang kaso kung di sa impeachment process lamang,” he added. 

The group warned that blocking impeachment filings at the outset has broader implications for democratic institutions.

“The more serious issue now confronting the public is institutional,” the statement read. 

“The refusal to receive, docket, or formally acknowledge an impeachment complaint raises fundamental questions about transparency, discretion, and the duty of Congress as a co-equal branch of government,” it added.

“Impeachment is not a political favor; it is a constitutional safeguard designed to uphold public trust,” the group cautioned, adding that “accountability delayed weakens democratic institutions.”

The group, which also includes lawyers, outlined the grounds cited in their complaint. Atty. Manuelito Luna said the filing was framed as a “people’s complaint”.

“First and foremost, gusto natin sabihin ang aming complaint is a people’s complaint for impeachment against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.,” Luna said.

He said the complaint cited “culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, high crimes, and graft and corruption” as grounds.

The group declined to publicly identify the lawmakers who allegedly agreed to endorse their impeachment complaint. 

Luna explained that the group’s decision was meant to protect them.

“We are protecting the members of Congress who agreed to endorse the complaint from possible harassment,” he said.

So far, the only impeachment complaint successfully received by the House was filed by lawyer Andre de Jesus and accepted on Monday, Jan. 19. Defensor criticized that filing during the press conference, describing it as a “scam,” and insisted that only the Makabayan-backed complaint and their own represented legitimate impeachment efforts.

While their impeachment complaint has not yet been formally received, the group said public scrutiny is not yet over. 

“This development does not extinguish the issues raised in the complaint, nor does it end public scrutiny,” the group noted. 

“Constitutional remedies remain available, and the demand for accountability continues—inside and outside Congress,” it added. 

The press conference was attended by Defensor, Atty. Jing Paras, Atty. Ferdie Topacio, Atty. Luna, Atty. Harold Respicio, Ms. Cathy Binag, and Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Atty. Virgil Garcia.