An impeachment complaint seeking the removal of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. was formally lodged with the House of Representatives on Monday, marking the first such case filed against the sitting Chief Executive, according to information reported by GMA News Online.
House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil confirmed that the verified complaint was received by his office earlier in the day. The filing was initiated by lawyer Andre de Jesus and endorsed by Pusong Pinoy Party-list Representative Jett Nisay, a development first disclosed in a social media post by Super Radyo dzBB reporter Isa Umali.
The complaint lists graft and corruption, culpable violation of the Constitution, and betrayal of public trust as the principal grounds for impeachment. De Jesus alleged that the President violated constitutional safeguards and undermined public trust in several actions taken while in office.
One of the central accusations raised concerns the arrest and subsequent transfer of former president Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court. De Jesus argued that Duterte was taken into custody without a valid Philippine warrant and surrendered despite the presence of functioning domestic courts. Duterte was arrested in March 2025 over alleged crimes against humanity linked to killings during the anti-drug campaign of his administration and is currently detained in The Hague while facing ICC proceedings.
“We are putting to question…holding the President accountable for number one, allowing a citizen of the country to be whisked away, kidnapped, without due process, despite the functioning courts in our country,” de Jesus told reporters.
The complaint also questioned Marcos’ fitness to remain in office, citing allegations of drug use that allegedly impair judgment and moral authority. De Jesus referenced public remarks attributed to the President’s sister, Senator Imee Marcos, and criticized the President’s refusal to undergo a drug test.
“Respondent’s refusal to submit to a drug test conclusively demonstrates his disregard for transparency and accountability… By remaining silent and evasive, Respondent tellingly confirmed public suspicion and betrayed the trust of a nation he swore to serve,” de Jesus stated in the filing.
Speaking separately to reporters, he added: “An allegation that a sitting President might be somehow involved in addiction of any sort to prohibited drugs should be alarming. It has been an issue that has been dodged by the President, sweeping it under the rug. That failure to react can be taken against you.”
“Silence means yes. We have not heard from the President denying it. We have not heard from the President undergoing procedure to debunk all these rumors,” he said.
Malacañang has previously rejected the accusation. Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said in November 2025 that the President was “disappointed” by his sister’s claims. “Dismayado po ang Pangulo. Dismayado na umabot sa ganitong kasinungalingan ang ginawa ng kaniyang kapatid,” Castro told GMA Integrated News.
Additional allegations in the complaint accuse Marcos of participating in graft and corruption through kickbacks and so-called ghost projects. De Jesus claimed that large sums were allegedly inserted into the General Appropriations Act to create funds for kickbacks, a scheme he described as having been publicly exposed. He also alleged that the creation of an Independent Commission for Infrastructure to review flood control projects was intended to shield political allies.
Budgetary issues were likewise cited, with de Jesus asserting that the President betrayed public trust by signing national budgets from 2023 to 2026 that included unprogrammed appropriations and provisions later deemed unconstitutional. He specifically pointed to the transfer of excess Philippine Health Insurance Corporation funds to the National Treasury, which the Supreme Court later ruled unconstitutional under the 2025 national budget.
“We are also holding the President accountable for failing to veto unprogrammed appropriations despite being able to do so. The President had every opportunity to veto…he signed that [2025] budget even if the Supreme Court said that the PhilHealth part of that budget is unconstitutional,” de Jesus said.
The President signed the 2025 budget before the Supreme Court issued its ruling.
In response to the filing, Malacañang said the complaint falls within the country’s democratic processes. The Presidential Communications Office said in a statement that the Palace respects the constitutional mechanism and trusts Congress to act “with honesty, integrity, and fidelity to the rule of law,” adding that the President will continue to govern to ensure public services remain uninterrupted.
House leaders, however, signaled skepticism over the complaint’s prospects. House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability chair Joel Chua said there are, at present, no sufficient grounds to impeach the President based on publicly available information.
“We have been informed that an impeachment complaint against President Marcos Jr. was filed today. As with any impeachment complaint, the House of Representatives will accord it the initial consideration required under the Constitution and our rules,” Chua said.
“At the same time, it must be stated frankly that, based on what is publicly known at this point, the complaint faces a steep and difficult path in the House,” he added.
Chua emphasized that the House would only endorse an impeachment complaint that meets constitutional standards and is supported by solid evidence.
