Congress Reviews Impeachment Complaints
Lawmakers in the Philippines convened on Tuesday to decide whether impeachment complaints filed against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should move forward, marking a rare challenge to a sitting head of state.
The House of Representatives’ justice committee is assessing whether the allegations—ranging from corruption to constitutional violations—contain enough substance to warrant further proceedings.
Complaints Clear Initial Stage
Two impeachment complaints were submitted separately by a private lawyer and a group of activists. Both passed an initial procedural review on Monday, with the committee ruling that the filings met formal requirements.
The panel is now determining whether the accusations rise to the level of impeachable offences under Philippine law. Its recommendation will be sent to the full House, where Marcos’ allies hold a strong majority.
Allegations Against the President
One complaint focuses on Marcos’ role in allowing former president Rodrigo Duterte to be arrested and transferred to The Hague, where Duterte faces charges at the International Criminal Court over thousands of deaths linked to his anti-drug campaign.
Other allegations accuse Marcos of misuse of public funds tied to flood control projects and claim he is unfit for office due to alleged drug use—an accusation the president has repeatedly denied.
Marcos Denies Wrongdoing
The president’s office said Marcos respects the constitutional process and maintains that the accusations are baseless.
“The president has consistently said he did not violate the law and did not commit any impeachable offence,” presidential press officer Claire Castro said.
Marcos is midway through his six-year term and has not been formally charged with any crime.
What Happens Next
If the House votes to impeach, the case would move to the Senate, where senators would sit as jurors in an impeachment trial. A conviction would require a two-thirds vote to remove the president from office.
Only one official in Philippine history—a former chief justice—has been convicted and removed through impeachment. Former president Joseph Estrada faced impeachment in 2001, though the trial was left unresolved.
Political Stakes Remain High
Justice committee chair Gerville Luistro said lawmakers must carefully distinguish between alleged wrongdoing and conduct that meets the constitutional threshold for impeachment.
Political analysts say the chances of impeachment advancing remain slim due to Marcos’ strong support in the House, but the proceedings have intensified political tensions in Manila.
The process unfolds amid broader instability, including renewed impeachment efforts targeting Vice President Sara Duterte, the former president’s daughter, who has denied separate allegations against her.
As deliberations continue, the justice committee’s decision is expected to shape the next phase of what could become one of the most significant political tests of Marcos’ presidency.
