MANILA — An impeachment complaint seeking the removal of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was formally filed before the House of Representatives on Monday, citing alleged budget irregularities, constitutional violations, and the supposed weaponization of a government infrastructure body—marking the first impeachment case lodged against the President since he assumed office in 2022.
The complaint was submitted by lawyer Andre De Jesus to the Office of the House Secretary General and endorsed by Deputy Minority Leader and Pusong Pinoy party-list’s Cong. Jernie Nisay.
De Jesus enumerated six alleged grounds for impeachment, including accusations tied to unprogrammed appropriations in the national budget, alleged kickbacks from budget insertions and flood control projects, and claims of constitutional violations. He also questioned the creation and operation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), alleging it was used to shield political allies and go after opponents.
“Last week, personally, I felt that the ICI has been weaponized by the government to protect the respondent’s allies — President Marcos’ allies — and to target political enemies,” De Jesus said.
He said the impeachment process would provide a forum to address lingering accusations against the President and his administration.
“So we believe that, aside from the president being an impeachable officer, this avenue would allow not only myself as the complainant and Cong. Jett (Nisay) as the endorser, but also the Filipino people, to thresh out all these matters that have been raised but remain unanswered by the president, his Cabinet, and his officials,” De Jesus said.
Among the issues raised was the President’s alleged failure to directly respond to accusations of illegal drug use, which De Jesus argued could carry legal implications.
“This is not the main thrust of the impeachment complaint, but it is one of the issues. It is an issue that has been dodged by the president and by Malacañang. They are just sweeping it under the rug,” he said.
Citing evidentiary rules, De Jesus added: “But mind you, under our rules on evidence, when an act or declaration is made within the hearing or observation of a party, and if untrue, it should merit a response. When no comment is made, that failure to react can be taken against you. In other words, our rules of evidence codify that silence means consent.”
He further noted that President Marcos has not undergone “any procedure to debunk the rumors” regarding alleged drug use.
Last November, Sen. Imee Marcos publicly claimed during a religious rally that her brother was using illegal drugs. Malacañang later said the President would not submit to a hair follicle test, citing previous drug tests that yielded negative results.
Despite the House being dominated by lawmakers aligned with the administration, De Jesus said he remains hopeful the complaint would gain traction.
“The only way for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. At the very least, in my case, I can rest at night knowing I tried to do the right thing, win or lose,” he said.
“So irrespective of the numbers in Congress — whether at the House Committee on Justice, the House itself, or later on in the Senate, assuming it reaches the Senate — it is immaterial to me,” he added.
De Jesus said he believes unexpected outcomes remain possible.
“Irrespective of the possible turnout, miracles do happen. I believe miracles happen. Who knows? The numbers may end up in our favor. Maybe members of Congress might wake up one morning thinking, ‘You know what, he has a point. Maybe we ought to exact accountability from our president,’” he said.
The House has previously received impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte over alleged misuse of confidential funds during her tenure from 2022 to 2024./PN
