Marcos impeachment complaints sufficient in form—House panel

The House of Representatives Committee on Justice has deemed that both impeachment complaints against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. are sufficient in form.

On Feb. 2, the House panel voted on 46-1-1 to declare the complaint filed by lawyer Andre de Jesus as sufficient in form. It also did the same for the case filed by lawmakers of the Makabayan bloc, voting 35-9-1.

The committee will next determine whether the complaints are sufficient in substance on Tuesday.

De Jesus filed an impeachment complaint on Jan. 19, stating that it is based on three grounds: culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust. He also wants the president to be held accountable for allowing the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte by the International Criminal Court.

The second complaint, meanwhile, was filed by militant and progressive groups led by the Makabayan bloc on Jan. 26. The three articles of impeachment focus on institutionalizing systemic corruption and patronage, abuse of discretionary power over unprogrammed appropriations, and direct personal involvement in kickback schemes. Former lawmaker Zaldy Co accused Marcos of making insertions in the 2025 budget for flood control projects worth P100 billion.

After the House members find the complaints sufficient in substance, they will be thrown back into the plenary for final approval before becoming an article of impeachment. A vote of at least one-third among the members is required for this.