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Palace: Defensor should substantiate 'scam' claim on De Jesus impeachment complaint

Philippines | National

Palace: Defensor should substantiate 'scam' claim on De Jesus impeachment complaint

By Argyll Cyrus Geducos

President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. and former congressman Mike Defensor (File)

President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. and former congressman Mike Defensor (File)

Malacañang has said former congressman Mike Defensor should substantiate his claim that the impeachment complaint filed against President Marcos is a “scam.”

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro on Tuesday said this after Defensor alleged that the impeachment complaint filed by lawyer Andre de Jesus involved not only the Office of the Secretary General of the House of Representatives but also the Speaker and the President.

In a text message to reporters, Castro said Defensor should prove his allegations.

“Mike Defensor should substantiate his accusation against Atty. De Jesus,” she said Friday, Jan. 23.

The Palace Press Officer added that De Jesus himself had already admitted his political affiliation in relation to the complaint. She likewise stressed that Malacañang has no role in the internal disputes surrounding the filing of the impeachment complaint.

“Anyway, Atty. de Jesus already admitted that he worked as counsel for the PDP Laban Duterte faction,” Castro said.

“We have nothing to do with their bickering,” she added.

The Palace has repeatedly said it will respect constitutional processes and due process in relation to impeachment complaints filed against the President, while maintaining that allegations raised so far are baseless.

The impeachment complaint filed by De Jesus has drawn criticism from several quarters, with questions raised over its timing, backing, and legal basis, while House leaders have yet to determine its sufficiency in form and substance.

Related Tags

Claire Castro President Marcos Bongbong Marcos impeachment Mike Defensor Andre de Jesus

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