House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos said he would step aside from committee-level discussions on impeachment-related matters to avoid any perception of conflict. – Photo Courtesy of the House of Representatives
Decision framed as a voluntary step to protect the credibility of House processes connected to impeachment matters involving his father.
MANILA — House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos has formally recused himself from all deliberations of the House Committee on Rules related to impeachment matters involving his father, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., citing the need to preserve the integrity of the House of Representatives and maintain public trust in the legislative process.In a written statement released Monday, January 26, 2026, Marcos said the decision was voluntary and not required under existing law.
“This decision is guided not by legal compulsion, but by a higher obligation—to preserve the integrity of the House of Representatives, to protect the credibility of its processes, and to uphold the public’s trust in our constitutional system,” he said.
Marcos, who represents Ilocos Norte’s first congressional district, said his recusal was intended to remove any potential questions regarding the fairness, objectivity, or legitimacy of House proceedings connected to impeachment-related matters involving the President.
“This step ensures that no questions regarding the fairness, objectivity, or legitimacy of the process may be raised by the public,” he added.
The House Committee on Rules is responsible for determining the scheduling and flow of measures brought before the chamber, including procedural matters that may arise from impeachment complaints once these enter the legislative process. Under the Philippine Constitution, impeachment proceedings originate in the House of Representatives and advance only upon compliance with prescribed procedural requirements.
Marcos emphasized that stepping aside from impeachment-related discussions does not affect his broader responsibilities as House Majority Leader.“I remain committed to my duties as House Majority Leader in all other matters, and I express full confidence that the House will act with independence, sobriety, and fidelity to the Constitution,” he said.
House rules do not explicitly require lawmakers to recuse themselves from proceedings involving relatives. However, voluntary recusals have been employed by legislators in the past to address potential conflicts of interest or perceptions of undue influence.
House officials have not indicated whether additional internal safeguards will be adopted in connection with impeachment-related deliberations. The House leadership has consistently stated that all constitutional processes will be observed should any impeachment complaint reach the appropriate stage for consideration.
House Majority Leader says decision aims to safeguard institutional integrity and public trust as impeachment-related procedures remain at an early stage
