A dramatic power struggle erupted Thursday as former President Duterte’s supporters attempted to file impeachment charges against President Marcos, claiming constitutional violations in Duterte’s transfer to the International Criminal Court.
In a bold political move that has intensified the growing rift between two of the Philippines’ most powerful political families, allies of former President Rodrigo Duterte attempted to file impeachment charges against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday.
The impeachment bid centers on what Duterte’s supporters call the “illegal arrest and transfer” of the former president to face trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC) last March.
Former party list Rep. Ronald Cardema and his wife, Duceille Marie Cardema, arrived at the House of Representatives at 3:20 p.m. but left empty-handed. They were told only House Secretary General Reginald Velasco could receive the complaint. A notice posted on the office door stated the office was holding its strategic planning session from May 6 to 8.
“It’s the ministerial duty for any government office to receive documents,” the Cardemas said in a statement, citing the Rules of Procedure in Impeachment Proceedings.
The 24-page complaint, endorsed by current Duterte Youth representative Drixie Mae Cardema, marks the first impeachment attempt against Marcos since his public fallout with Vice President Sara Duterte, the former president’s daughter.
Constitutional Crisis Claims
At the heart of the complaint are allegations that Marcos violated the Constitution and betrayed public trust by allowing international authorities to arrest Duterte despite the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute that established the ICC.
“President Marcos ceded sovereign control over a domestic legal matter to an international body that no longer holds jurisdiction over the Philippines,” the complaint states. “This act is a blatant constitutional violation of national sovereignty.”
The Palace has consistently maintained the legality of Duterte’s arrest, saying the government merely honored its commitment to cooperate with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).
Malacañang officials cite Section 17 of Republic Act No. 9851, which states that authorities may “surrender or extradite suspected or accused persons in the Philippines to the appropriate international court.”
Legal Experts Divided
Legal opinions on the arrest remain sharply divided. Former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea argues Duterte should have been brought before a Philippine court first. However, retired Supreme Court Justice Antonio Carpio contends the arrest was valid based on existing law.
The Supreme Court ruled in 2021 that despite withdrawing from the Rome Statute, the Philippines still had “continuing obligations to cooperate” with the ICC.
House Speaker Martin Romualdez told reporters in Tacloban City that even if filed, the complaint would wait until Congress resumes session on June 2. The 19th Congress is set to adjourn on June 13.
This attempted impeachment against Marcos comes as Vice President Sara Duterte herself faces an impeachment trial once Congress reconvenes in July, further highlighting the deteriorating political alliance between the two powerful families.
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