House Justice Committee Advances Impeachment Proceedings Against President Marcos
The Philippine House of Representatives Committee on Justice has taken a significant procedural step in the impeachment process against President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. On Monday, February 2, 2026, the committee determined that two separate impeachment complaints filed against the president are sufficient in form, meeting constitutional and House rule requirements.
Committee Vote Results and Complaint Details
In a committee vote following a thorough review of the complaints' compliance with legal standards, lawmakers ruled that both filings adhered to the procedural requirements outlined in the 1987 Constitution and House regulations. The first complaint, submitted by Atty. Andre de Jesus on January 19, 2025, received overwhelming support with 46 members voting in favor, one opposing, and one abstaining.
This initial complaint alleges several grounds for impeachment:
- The alleged "kidnapping" of former President Rodrigo Duterte and his immediate transfer to foreign forces despite fully functioning Philippine courts
- Failure to safeguard Filipino interests when signing national budgets containing questionable appropriations
- Involvement in anomalous flood control projects
The second complaint, filed by former Bayan Muna chairperson Liza Maza along with several other complainants on January 26, 2025, garnered 35 affirmative votes, nine negative votes, and one abstention. This filing centers on betrayal of public trust through alleged misuse of public funds, particularly concerning flood control initiatives.
Specific Allegations in the Second Complaint
The Maza-led complaint accuses President Marcos of committing three impeachable acts:
- Adoption of the Baselined-Balanced-Managed (BBM) Parametric Formula for infrastructure project allocation
- This formula allegedly resulted in "ghost" flood mitigation projects
- The creation of substandard and overpriced flood control systems
Understanding the "Sufficient in Form" Determination
It is crucial to understand that a finding of sufficiency in form represents a procedural milestone rather than a judgment on the validity of the allegations. This determination simply indicates that the impeachment complaints complied with basic legal requirements including:
- Proper verification procedures
- Appropriate endorsement protocols
- Adherence to format rules and documentation standards
The committee's decision does not imply that the accusations themselves have been proven or validated at this stage of the process.
Next Steps in the Impeachment Process
Following this procedural determination, the House Committee on Justice must now proceed to the more substantive phase of deliberations. The panel will examine whether the complaints are sufficient in substance—a rigorous process that involves evaluating the merits and evidentiary basis of the accusations.
Should the committee find the complaints sufficient in substance, they may be consolidated and elevated to the House plenary for potential endorsement. This represents a crucial procedural hurdle that must be cleared before any impeachment case can be transmitted to the Senate for trial proceedings.
The development comes amid President Marcos's recent visit to Bogo City, Cebu on Thursday, October 2, 2025, highlighting the ongoing political activities surrounding the administration during this impeachment process.
