Palace says impeachment complaint vs Marcos baseless

Malacañang downplayed yesterday the attempt of former National Youth Commission chairman Ronald Cardema and his wife Marie to file an impeachment complaint against President Marcos, saying it was "baseless."

- By HELEN FLORES

The Cardema couple cited in their complaint Marcos' alleged culpable violation of the Constitution and alleged betrayal of public trust "when he allowed the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte on the basis of a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC)."

Cardema said House Secretary General Reginald Velasco was not around to receive the complaint, endorsed by the Duterte Youth Party-list, on Thursday.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said at a press briefing the Cardemas have the right to file a complaint, but the accusations are baseless.

Castro said the President and the administration "only performed their duties and enforced the law, including their commitment to the Interpol" on Duterte's arrest.

"Whatever the President and the administration do, it is all based on the law," she said.

As legislators, Castro urged the Duterte Youth Party-list to "make more laws."

Duterte was arrested on March 11 over an arrest warrant released by the ICC through the Interpol. He was flown to the ICC in The Hague in the Netherlands on the same day.

Duterte is facing charges of crimes against humanity over the thousands of deaths linked to his drug war.

Meanwhile, Castro hit back at Vice President Sara Duterte over her remarks that the country is witnessing a "systematic demolition job" against its political opponents.