An impeachment complaint has been filed against Supreme Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, an appointee of former President Benigno Aquino III.

The complaint was filed Monday (December 7) by Edwin Cordevilla, secretary general of the Filipino League of Advocates For Good Government (FLAGG), before the Office of the House Secretary General. He was accompanied by lawyer Larry Gadon.

Ilocos Norte Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba, a cousin of former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his sister, Senator Imee Marcos, endorsed the impeachment complaint.

Cordevilla accused Leonen in the impeachment complaint of committing culpable violation of the Constitution due to his supposed failure to dispose of at least 37 cases within 24 months.

This, he said, violates Section 16, Article III of the Constitution which mandates the speedy disposition of cases.

“Respondent’s track record of gross inefficiency as shown by the snail pace in which he resolves his cases casts doubts on his competency. No other sitting Justice has ever displayed the same inefficiency and incompetence,” the complaint read.

Cordevilla also alleged that Leonen has been “deliberately” delaying the resolution of cases in the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal, where he sits as chairman.

“By failing to act on the cases pending before him both in the Supreme Court and the HRET, respondent has clearly betrayed public trust. His incompetence and inefficiency, has caused the erosion of the public’s faith in our judicial system,” the complaint read.

Cordevilla said Leonen also betrayed public trust due to his supposed failure to file his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN) during his tenure at the University of the Philippines.

He claimed that Leonen only filed his SALNs for the years 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, and 2011 out of the 22 years he spent at UP.

“Since respondent failed to file his SALN for 15 years, it would be difficult for the investigating authorities to pin him down in the event that a corruption case is filed against him,” the complaint read.