MANILA – The House Committee on Justice has ruled that the two impeachment complaints filed against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. complied with the constitutional requirements on form, allowing both cases to move forward in the impeachment process.
During its deliberations on Monday, the panel voted 46-1 with one abstention to declare the first complaint sufficient in form. The second complaint also passed, receiving 35 votes in favor, nine against, and one abstention.
A finding of sufficiency in form means the complaints meet technical requirements, including the submission of sworn statements and supporting documents based on personal knowledge or authenticated records.
One of the complaints was filed by lawyer Andre de Jesus. It accuses the President of betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution, among other charges.
The filing claims Marcos ordered and enabled the kidnapping and surrender of former president Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC), alleges that he is a drug addict whose condition affects his judgment and leadership, and faults him for failing to veto what it described as unconstitutional provisions in the national budgets from 2023 to 2026.
The second complaint was lodged by the Makabayan bloc. It alleges betrayal of public trust in connection with the administration’s adoption of the Baselined-Balanced-Managed (BBM) Parametric Formula in distributing infrastructure funds. According to the complaint, the formula resulted in “ghost,” substandard, and overpriced flood control and management projects.
With the panel’s ruling, both complaints may now proceed to the next stage of review, where lawmakers will determine whether they are also sufficient in substance.
Under House rules, only complaints that pass both form and substance requirements may advance to a plenary vote./PN
