No Palace hand in impeachment complaint vs. Leonen: Roque

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque. (File photo by PNA)

MANILA – President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is not in any way involved in the impeachment complaint filed against Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, Malacañang said Monday.

In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte had no hand in the impeachment complaint filed against Leonen in the House of Representatives.

Asked if the complaint had the imprimatur of the President, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said: “Absolutely none! Wala pong kinalaman diyan (We have nothing to do with that).”

“We don’t even know who the proponents are. Hindi ko po alam kung kaninong project iyan. Sa House po iyan ano (I don’t know who initiated that project. That’s up to the House),” he added.

In a separate statement, Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said every citizen has a right to file an impeachment complaint endorsed by a House member against an impeachable officer on grounds laid by the Constitution, following the doctrine of accountability of public officials.

“Hence, officials holding high positions in the government, such as Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, remain accountable to the people regardless of their performance in their respective lines of duty,” Panelo said.

However, he said the Constitution also grants the presumption of innocence to those properly charged with an impeachment complaint.

“As in all our previous positions on alleged culpabilities of officials at all levels of government, and the interest of fair play and transparency, let the rule of law and the constitutional processes on impeachment take its course,” he said.

Leonen, an appointee of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, is facing an impeachment complaint for alleged culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust.

Edwin Cordevilla, secretary general of the Filipino League of Advocates For Good Government (FLAGG), submitted the impeachment complaint before the Office of the House Secretary General.

In the complaint, Cordevilla accused Leonen of culpable violation of the Constitution for allegedly failing to dispose of at least 37 cases within 24 months.

Cordevilla noted that this violates the constitutional mandate requiring the speedy disposition of cases.

Leonen has insisted that the issues raised in the impeachment complaint are false.