The House Committee on Justice will start its initial deliberations on two separate impeachment complaints filed against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., marking the first such proceedings since he assumed office in 2022.
The committee, chaired by Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro will determine if the complaints are sufficient in form and substance.
The proceedings involve two verified filings: one submitted by lawyer Andre de Jesus and endorsed by Pusong Pinoy Party-list Rep. Jernie Jett Nisay, and a second from the Makabayan Coalition, endorsed by ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio and other progressive lawmakers.
The allegations against the President include culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, and graft and corruption.
Specifically, the complainants cite the President’s alleged failure to veto unprogrammed appropriations in the national budget and the implementation of the “BBM Parametric Formula” in infrastructure allocations, which they claim facilitates budget anomalies.
Bicol Saro Party-list Rep. Terry Ridon noted ahead of the hearing that the outcome would depend strictly on the evidence presented and the “conscience” of the lawmakers. He emphasized that the House holds the sole prerogative in impeachment matters, guided by constitutional standards.
Lawmakers from the majority bloc have already signaled skepticism, with some describing the complaints as “weak” and lacking in sufficient basis.
Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice previously stated that the allegations regarding budget provisions might be easily dismissed as they follow long-standing legislative practices.
Under House rules, the committee must first vote on whether the complaints meet the requirements of form.
If they pass, the panel will then deliberate on the substance of the charges before deciding whether to recommend the articles of impeachment to the plenary for a vote.
Malacañang has dismissed the move as a politically motivated attack intended to distract from the administration’s economic goals, though it maintained that the President respects the legal process of the legislature.