Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte on Friday criticized the House of Representatives for refusing to accept a third impeachment complaint against President Bongbong Marcos, calling the move unconstitutional and politically motivated.
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, Duterte took issue with the House Secretariat’s explanation that the complaint could not be received because the Secretary General was allegedly out of the country. He argued that official complaints may be accepted by any authorized personnel within the Office of the Secretary General, adding that the refusal undermines both constitutional processes and public trust.
Duterte said the decision showed an unwillingness by House leadership to act on the complaint, which he described as well-documented and supported by evidence. He maintained that impeachment is not a discretionary act of the House but a constitutional obligation, warning that procedural justifications should not be used to block filings deemed politically sensitive.
The Davao lawmaker also pointed out that this was the second time an impeachment complaint had not been accepted by the House, recalling a similar rejection last year involving a complaint filed by the Duterte Youth party-list. He said outright refusal to receive a complaint, rather than allowing it to undergo the formal process, sets a troubling precedent.
In his statement, Duterte rejected claims that the issue was merely procedural, saying the refusal reflected political protection rather than adherence to constitutional duty. He added that citizens and lawmakers alike have the right to file impeachment complaints, and that blocking such filings damages confidence in Congress.
The House of Representatives has yet to issue a detailed response to Duterte’s remarks or clarify whether alternative arrangements were considered for receiving the complaint in the absence of the Secretary General.
