The first impeachment complaint filed against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has been transmitted to the office of House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, according to House of Representatives Secretary General Cheloy Garafil. Meanwhile, progressive coalition Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) is set to file a second complaint focusing on the national budget and the flood control corruption scandal.
With the first complaint’s transmission to the Office of the Speaker, Marcos is a step closer to facing trial based on the grounds outlined in the complaint. The 1987 Constitution requires the House Committee on Justice and the House Plenary to vote on whether the lower chamber should proceed with an impeachment. After this, the articles of impeachment shall be transmitted to the Senate, which will form a court to decide whether to remove and disqualify a public official.
But what grounds are the impeachment complaint based on? What are the speculations around the case? And is this complaint strong enough to put another Marcos president out of power?
On Paper
The complainant, Atty. Andre de Jesus, outlined six grounds for Marcos’ removal from office. These are:
- “Respondent ordered and enabled the kidnapping and surrender of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC).”
- “Respondent is a drug addict whose condition impairs his judgment and leadership.”
- “Respondent failed to veto unprogrammed appropriations and other unconstitutional provisions of the General Appropriations Bill for 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.”
- “Respondent benefited from kickbacks arising from budget insertions and ghost flood control projects.”
- “Respondent created the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to shield corrupt allies.”
- “Respondent violated the constitution and betrayed public trust by surrendering former President Duterte to the ICC.”
De Jesus’ complaint was endorsed by Congressman Jett Nisay, representative of the Duterte-allied Pusong Pinoy Partylist.
Ulterior Motives?
After sparking controversy by accusing her brother of illegal drug use, Senator Imee Marcos has called the impeachment case a part of a “drama series para sa isang taong tagal,” implying that the complaint was meant to block other attempts at ousting the president through the one-year bar rule, which states that if a vote fails in any part of the proceedings, the official cannot be subject to another impeachment complaint for one calendar year. “Kilala naman natin sino nag-file at anong background,” she said.
Caloocan City 2nd District Rep. Edgar Erice similarly raised doubts about de Jesus’ motives for filing the complaint. According to GMA News, Erice had recalled that de Jesus filed a disbarment case against fellow lawyer Glenn Chong in November 2024 after Chong allegedly threatened to slap First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos. “I am still puzzled why he filed,” Erice said. De Jesus, however, denies acting as the first lady’s counsel in Chong’s disbarment case.
Erice added that other complaints may still be filed and consolidated to make a stronger case against Marcos. “Even if [de Jesus’] complaint is weak, there are stronger complaints, wala ring silbi,” he said, referring to the speculated plan to set off the one-year bar rule.
Lanao del Sur First District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong, chair of the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms, likewise calls the complaint “weak, unsupported by credible evidence, and unlikely to move forward in the House of Representatives.”
“This particular complaint appears crafted more for media consumption than for serious constitutional scrutiny,” said Adiong. “The House will not treat impeachment as a mere press statement or partisan maneuver. We will demand substance, and in this instance, substance is conspicuously absent.”
