Impeachment complaint filed against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Photo Credit : Presidential Communications Office (PCO)

The Philippine House of Representatives has received an impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as allies stress due process and question the case’s viability.

MANILA – An impeachment complaint has been filed in the House of Representatives against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., marking the first such case lodged against him since he assumed office in 2022. House leaders said the filing would be handled strictly under constitutional procedures, while administration allies indicated it faces formidable obstacles in Congress.

A formal filing, a defined process

The complaint was filed on Monday, January 19, 2026, by lawyer Andre de Jesus, a private legal practitioner. It accuses the President of graft and corruption, culpable violation of the Constitution, and betrayal of public trust.

Under the 1987 Constitution, the House of Representatives has the exclusive authority to initiate impeachment proceedings. The complaint was received by the Office of the House Secretary-General and is subject to timelines and procedures set out in House rules.

House Secretary-General Cheloy Garafil confirmed receipt of the complaint and said it was endorsed by Rep. Jernie Jett Nisay of the Pusong Pinoy party-list, a deputy minority leader. Once calendared in the Order of Business, the complaint will be referred to the House committee on justice.

Early signals from lawmakers

Several lawmakers said the complaint would be processed in the ordinary course but questioned its prospects.

Lanao del Sur First District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong described the complaint as weak and lacking credible evidentiary support, adding that it is unlikely to advance in the House.

House justice committee chair Gerville Luistro said the panel stands ready to receive the complaint once formally referred. He said attendance by the President or his legal counsel during committee proceedings would be discretionary and governed by due process considerations.

Rep. Miro Quimbo, chair of the House committee on ways and means, cautioned against politicizing impeachment, describing it as a constitutional remedy rather than a political tool. He urged lawmakers to maintain continuity of governance while observing constitutional safeguards.

Claims raised by the complainant

In public remarks, de Jesus cited several grounds for impeachment, including the Marcos administration’s cooperation with the International Criminal Court in connection with the arrest and transfer of former president Rodrigo Duterteto The Hague. Presidential officials have said they respect the legal process and that government services will continue while the complaint is addressed.

The complaint also raises objections to unprogrammed appropriations in the national budget and reiterates allegations regarding the President’s fitness to govern, including unverified claims about drug use. The allegations have not been supported by publicly available court findings or official investigative reports.

Palace rejects allegations

Malacañang dismissed the claims and said the filing would not disrupt government operations.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Palace had not yet received a copy of the complaint at the time of her remarks but described the publicly cited allegations as baseless. She said the President respects the Constitution and due process and expressed confidence that lawmakers would act in accordance with the law.

The Majority Leader’s procedural role

The filing has also focused attention on the role of House Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, the President’s son, given the Majority Leader’s position in House procedure.

Bukidnon Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores said House rules leave the Majority Leader with no discretion to block or delay the processing of a verified impeachment complaint.

“There is not much leeway here,” Flores said. “The rules prescribe the timelines and the process, even if the respondent is a relative.”

Under House rules, the committee on rules, chaired by the Majority Leader, handles plenary referrals before complaints are transmitted to the House justice committee. Flores said the Majority Leader would not be involved in questioning on the merits of the case.

Other blocs weigh next moves

The Makabayan bloc said it is considering a separate impeachment initiative and would make an announcement at a later time. The group cited concerns over budget allocations and alleged corruption in infrastructure projects, while acknowledging that no court or investigative body has issued findings directly implicating the President.

Separately, Rep. Edgar Erice disclosed that de Jesus previously served as legal counsel to First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos in a 2024 disbarment case involving another lawyer. Lawmakers noted that the prior legal representation has no procedural bearing on the impeachment complaint.

Subsequent House action

Under House rules, the justice committee will first determine whether the complaint is sufficient in form and substance. Without majority support in the House, impeachment proceedings cannot advance to the Senate for trial.

For now, congressional leaders and administration officials have emphasized that while the complaint will be processed, it is unlikely to alter the legislative agenda or the administration’s day to day governance.