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Officials of the justice panel of the House of Representatives assured the citizens on Wednesday that the support of the deputy of Ilocos Norte, Angelo Marcos Barba – whose cousin, former senator Bongbong Marcos, has an electoral protest pending before the Supreme Court – will not affect his decision on the accusation complaint filed. against SC Associate Judge Marvic Leonen.
In a media forum, Ako Bicol’s party list representative Alfredo Garbin Jr., who serves as vice chair of the justice panel, said that they will only decide on the merits of the allegations brought against Leonen in the lawsuit for trial. politician.
“I think Cong. Barba’s relationship with Senator Bongbong Marcos does not affect, in any way, the present impeachment complaint,” he said.
“[The] committee members always decide on the merits of the case. We should stop saying that impeachment is just a numbers game. It is not. We have rules to follow and we have to appreciate, respect due process and justice, ”he added.
Vice President Rufus Rodríguez, another vice chairman of the justice panel, echoed Garbin’s statement.
“Who presented it is irrelevant because there is a right of everyone, a congressman to support. The reasons for the presentation are not part of the process,” he said.
“Once they are presented and the form and substance are met, we will hear the case,” he added.
The accusation complaint against Leonen, filed on Monday by Edwin Cordevilla of the Philippine League of Good Government Defenders, originated in the alleged guilty violation of the Constitution by the magistrate for allegedly failing to resolve at least 37 cases in 24 months and delaying the resolution of pending cases before the Electoral Tribunal of the House of Representatives.
Leonen was also accused of betraying the public trust when he failed to file his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) during his tenure at the University of the Philippines.
Barba, for his part, said he supported Leonen’s impeachment lawsuit since Cordevilla is a constituent in his legislative district.
“Mang Ed Cordevilla came to me and as a constituent of my district, I entertained him, I listened to his complaint and I believed in it. That is why I am here as your congressman. I accompanied you, and that’s it,” he said. .
Attorney Larry Gadon, who serves as Cordevilla’s attorney, also said there was “no connection” between the impeachment lawsuit against Leonen and Marcos’ election protest against Vice President Leni Robredo.
Rodriguez, however, assured Leonen that the committee will give him enough time to defend himself against impeachment charges.
“We will give Associate Judge Marvic Leonen all the time so that he can present his testimony. Therefore, the decision will really be based on the merits of the case,” he said. -MDM, GMA News
