Ridon expects Marcos impeachment complaint to be referred to House justice committee by this week

The first impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to be referred to the House Committee on Justice by this week, House public accounts panel chairperson Representative Terry Ridon said Sunday.

“'Yung sa ikalawang impeachment complaint lang 'yung magkakaroon ng aktuwal na debate kung constructively filed o mali ba na hindi tinanggap ng Office of the House Secretary General,” Ridon told Super Radyo dzBB.

(Only the second impeachment complaint will undergo an actual debate to determine whether it was constructively filed or if the Office of the House Secretary General was wrong for not accepting it.)

“Tumatakbo din ang unang impeachment complaint laban sa Pangulo so ang ating expectation, within this week or within the next two weeks, magkakaroon na po ng House referral to the Committee on Justice,” he added.

(The first impeachment complaint of the President is ongoing, so we expect that, within this week or within the next two weeks, it will be referred to the House justice committee.)

On Monday, lawyer Andre de Jesus filed an impeachment complaint against the President for alleged graft and corruption, culpable violation of the Constitution, and betrayal of public trust. It was endorsed by Pusong Pinoy party-list Representative Jett Nisay.

Two other groups attempted to file impeachment complaints against the President, but they were not received by the Office of the House Secretary General on Thursday, January 22, since Secretary General Cheloy Garafil was abroad on official business and no one else is authorized to receive the complaint.

The complainants in the second impeachment complaint were led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan.

The third impeachment complaint meanwhile was filed by former government officials.

“To be clear, 'yung ikatlong impeachment complaint, walang lumitaw na endorser na House member kaya tingin ko hindi 'yun mailalatag as part of the order of business at maire-refer to House Committee on Justice,” Ridon explained.

(To be clear, no House member endorsed the third impeachment complaint, so I think it will not be included as part of the order of business or referred to the House Committee on Justice.)

First time in history

The lawmaker also pointed out that it would be the first time in the country’s history that two of its leaders undergo impeachment proceedings.

However, Ridon believed that the House can tackle the impeachment cases of Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte.

“Gawin 'yung isa sa umaga, isa sa hapon. Kasama sa trabaho ng Kongreso 'yan. Maglalaan talaga ng oras ang Kongreso para dinggin at resolbahin ang ano mang impeachment complaint,” Ridon said.

(We will tackle one in the morning and the other in the afternoon. It’s part of our job. We will allot time to tackle and resolve any impeachment case.)

Divisive to PH

In a separate interview, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said Marcos and Duterte’s impeachment complaints are divisive to the country.

“Ang impeachment is largely a political exercise kaya nakakahati ng ating bansa—very divisive 'yan. Lalo na kung dalawang ulo ang ini-impeach, lahat magiging divisive,” Gatchalian told Super Radyo dzBB.

(Impeachment is largely a political exercise, which is why it is very divisive for our country. It becomes even more divisive when two high officials are being impeached. Everything will be divisive.)

“Kaya dapat talagang pag-isipang mabuti ng Mababang Kapulungan dahil nag-uumpisa diyan ang impeachment at tignang mabuti ang ebidensiya. Kung pampulitika lang, talagang masisira tayo,” he added.

(That’s why the House should thoroughly think about it and check the evidence. If the impeachment is used for politics, we are bound to be ruined.)

Ridon earlier said lawmakers would only prioritize the issue of a possible new impeachment complaint against Duterte on or after February 6, when a new impeachment case may be legally filed.

On February 5, 2025, the House impeached Duterte, with more than 200 lawmakers endorsing the complaint for betrayal of public trust, culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and other high crimes. 

Duterte has consistently maintained her innocence, saying the charges were politically motivated.

In July 2025, the Supreme Court declared the Articles of Impeachment against Duterte as unconstitutional. 

Voting 13-0, the SC ruled unanimously, deeming that the Articles of Impeachment are barred by the one-year rule under Article XI Section 3 paragraph 5 of the Constitution. Moreover, magistrates ruled that the articles violate the right to due process. —KG, GMA Integrated News