MANILA, Philippines – The two impeachment complaints against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that were referred to the House justice committee passed its first test, after the panel declared them sufficient in form on Monday, February 2.

It was, however, not a unanimous vote.

The complaint endorsed by the three-member Makabayan bloc received nine negative votes after Manila 3rd District Representative Joel Chua questioned the authenticity of the complainants’ signatures.

“We have not asked them to identify the signatures. I think that’s very important, because maybe, later on, they [might] deny the signatures,” Chua said.

“I think it is unnecessary because there is a presumption of authenticity of signatures unless someone questions it,” Mamamayang Liberal Representative Leila de Lima responded.

Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Representative Rufus Rodriguez also said the verification page of the copy of the complaint that he received was not notarized.

The panel, however, flashed a copy of the complaint that showed notarization on the last part of the verification page.

The opposing lawmakers were outvoted by their 35 colleagues who voted in favor of the sufficiency in form of the complaint, with only one abstention.

The complaint endorsed by Pusong Pinoy Representative Jett Nisay, meanwhile, also passed the initial form test. Forty-six lawmakers voted yes, while one lawmaker objected. There was one abstention.

Both complaints seek the removal of Marcos from office for his role in the public works scandal and overall national budget mess.

The Nisay-endorsed complaint also seeks Marcos’ removal from office over allegations of his drug addiction, and allegedly enabling the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte based on on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.

The justice committee suspended its session around lunch time, and said it will resume its hearing on Tuesday morning, February 3, to determine whether both complaints are sufficient in substance. This includes a decision on whether the facts constituting the offenses charged are articulated properly.

If either complaint passes the second test, the committee will proceed with notifying Marcos about the complaint and will give him time to respond to the allegations.

– Rappler.com