Impeachment complaint vs Marcos referred to Speaker's office for action

The impeachment complaint filed against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has been transmitted to the Office of the Speaker for appropriate action, House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil said Wednesday. 

In a statement, Garafil said such transfer "marks the start of the chamber’s internal process in performing its constitutional mandate."

“Pursuant to established procedure, the Office of the Secretary General has transmitted the verified impeachment complaint to the Office of Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ G. Dy III for appropriate action,” she said.

The impeachment complaint, filed by lawyer Andre de Jesus on January 19 and endorsed by House Deputy Minority Leader and Pusong Pinoy Party-list Rep. Jett Nisay, is the first to be lodged against the President since he assumed office in June 30, 2016. 

De Jesus said Marcos violated the Constitution and betrayed public trust by surrendering former president Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“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.

Duterte was arrested in March 2025 over alleged crimes against humanity due to drug war killings during his presidency. He has since been detained in The Hague in the Netherlands and is facing charges before the ICC.

De Jesus said Duterte was arrested without a valid Philippine warrant of arrest. 

The lawyer also said Marcos is unfit to serve as president due to his alleged drug addiction which impairs his judgment, erodes discipline, and undermines moral authority.

He cited the statement of the President's sister, Senator Imee Marcos, who said the chief executive has been using drugs. 

Garafil said that upon receipt of any impeachment complaint, the Office of the Secretary General ensures that the document is properly entered, recorded, and forwarded to the proper office. 

The impeachment process begins at the House of Representatives where any member or citizen can file a verified complaint which shall be endorsed by any House member. This shall be included in the Order of Business within 10 session days and referred to the proper House committee within three session days thereafter. 

After conducting a hearing and by a majority of votes by the panel members, the House committee shall submit a report to the House within 60 session days. The resolution will be calendared by the House within 10 session days.—AOL, GMA Integrated News