House to tackle magistrate’s impeachment on Monday

HOUSE Majority leader Martin G. Romualdez said his committee will immediately act on the proposal to impeach Supreme Court Associate Justice Mario Victor F. Leonen upon orders of the House Speaker as session resumes today.

In a statement on Sunday, Mr. Romualdez said the House Committee on Rules will prioritize the discussion of the impeachment endorsement of House Speaker Lord Allan Jay Q. Velasco.

“Last March 25, Speaker Lord Allan Jay Velasco transmitted the impeachment complaint filed by Mr. Edwin M. Cordevilla and endorsed by Ilocos Sur 2nd District Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba to our committee. We will act on it and include it in the order of business.”

He added that he “vowed to include in the order of business for referral to the House Committee on Justice.”

Mr. Leonen did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The impeachment complaint was filed against the magistrate last December, citing delays in the disposal and resolution of cases and his failure to submit his Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth.

The impeachment of a President-appointed official requires one third of the House of Representatives voting in favor of the removal, and two thirds of the Senate. — Gillian M. Cortez