MANILA, Philippines — Lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc are calling on the House leadership to formally include the recently filed impeachment complaint against a high-ranking official in the chamber’s official Order of Business.
The move, announced on Monday, January 26, 2026, aims to break the administrative deadlock that has kept the complaint in a state of “limbo” since it was first submitted by various sectoral groups last week.
Breaking the Procedural Stance The demand comes after House leaders earlier clarified that impeachment complaints filed by private citizens cannot be processed or referred to committees without a formal endorsement from a sitting House member.
- The Bloc’s Argument: Representatives from the Makabayan bloc argue that the House Secretariat should at least “receive and calendar” the document to acknowledge the public’s right to petition the government.
- Gatekeeping Concerns: The progressive solons expressed concern that the strict requirement for an immediate endorsement acts as a “chilling factor” and a “gatekeeping mechanism” that prevents legitimate grievances from reaching the floor.
Transparency and Accountability In a press conference, the Makabayan representatives emphasized that the allegations—which include betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution—deserve a transparent hearing. “We are not saying the official is already guilty; we are saying the process must be allowed to start,” a bloc representative stated. “By refusing to even place it in the Order of Business, the House is effectively silencing the voices of the people who brought these charges forward.”
The Endorsement Hurdle Despite their vocal support for the inclusion of the rap in the House schedule, the members of the Makabayan bloc have not yet officially signed as endorsers of the complaint. They noted that they are still “completing their own internal legal review” to ensure that the filing is sufficient in form and substance before putting their names on the document.
House Leadership Response The Committee on Rules and the House Secretariat maintained their position that the rules are “ministerial.” Without a signature from a House member, the document remains a “mere scrap of paper” in the eyes of legislative procedure. “We follow the rules as they are written in the Constitution,” a ranking majority leader said. “The Order of Business is for official legislative acts. Once an endorsement is secured, it will be included immediately.”
Next Steps The Makabayan bloc is expected to file a formal motion or a letter to the Speaker to challenge the current handling of the documents. Meanwhile, the petitioners—composed of labor leaders and human rights advocates—continue to hold rallies outside the Batasang Pambansa to pressure other lawmakers to step forward and endorse the complaint.