Warnings against turning impeachment into a political spectacle surfaced in the House of Representatives over the weekend, as two senior lawmakers stressed that any complaint against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. must be grounded strictly in constitutional requirements and verifiable evidence.
Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said discussions about impeachment should begin and end with the standards set by the 1987 Constitution, describing the process as one that carries serious legal weight and cannot be reduced to conjecture or partisan maneuvering. According to Adiong, the Constitution demands impartiality and due process regardless of the individual being accused.
“Any impeachment complaint must be supported by clear facts and solid proof. Anything less will not pass constitutional scrutiny,” Adiong said.
He cautioned against basing proceedings on hearsay or political narratives, noting that impeachment exists to address grave, demonstrable offenses rather than to amplify political disputes. Adiong also voiced confidence that the House would evaluate any complaint on its legal merits alone, without being influenced by unverified claims.
“Impeachment is a serious constitutional process. It cannot be based on rumors, speculation, or political talk,” he said.
Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V echoed the same position in a separate statement, emphasizing that impeachment is a formal constitutional remedy and not a platform for public posturing.
“Impeachment is not a press release. It is a constitutional process that demands proof,” Ortega said.
He underscored that lawmakers are bound by institutional responsibility to assess any complaint strictly through the lens of constitutional provisions and evidence presented, warning against attempts to weaponize the process for political effect.
“We will examine any complaint based on the Constitution and evidence—nothing more, nothing less,” Ortega said.
The statements were issued amid circulating reports that a small group of legislators may be preparing impeachment complaints against the President, following allegations linking him to controversial insertions in the proposed 2025 national budget.
