A formal impeachment complaint has been lodged against President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. before the House of Representatives, marking a significant political escalation. The document was filed by lawyer Andre de Jesus and received by the House Secretary General, Cheloy Garafil, on Monday, January 19, 2026. It was officially endorsed by Pusong Pinoy Party-list Representative Jett Nisay.
Core Allegations and Grounds for Impeachment
In a press briefing, De Jesus outlined the primary grounds for the impeachment move. The complaint cites culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption, and betrayal of public trust. One of the most serious accusations involves the alleged "kidnapping" of former President Rodrigo Duterte and his purported immediate transfer to foreign authorities, despite the presence of fully operational courts in the Philippines.
Another major point concerns the national budget. The complainant alleges that President Marcos failed to protect Filipino interests by signing into law budgets that contained questionable appropriations. Furthermore, the lawyer pointed to alleged anomalies in flood control projects, claiming that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has been weaponized to shield allies and target political opponents.
Drug Use Allegations and Family Accusations
The complaint also ventures into deeply personal territory by questioning the President's fitness for office amid allegations of illegal drug use. De Jesus referenced a public speech from November 2025, where the President's own sister, Senator Imee Marcos, allegedly labeled him and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos as "drug addicts."
"For some, it might be laughable; for others, it might be trivial. But an allegation that our sitting President might be involved in an addiction to prohibited drugs should be alarming," De Jesus argued. He criticized Malacañang for dismissing the claims as baseless and politically motivated, noting that under rules of evidence, silence can be construed as affirmation. The Palace has previously stated that Marcos tested negative in official drug screenings conducted before his 2021 presidential campaign.
Official Responses and Next Steps
Malacañang has consistently denied all allegations, describing them as recycled and without merit. In a curious personal rebuttal, President Marcos himself commented on his sister's televised remarks, stating that the person the public saw "is not my sister."
De Jesus emphasized that the impeachment process is a constitutional avenue for the public to seek answers on these grave issues. He stated that this mechanism will allow the Filipino people to thoroughly examine matters that, in his view, have remained unanswered by the President and his Cabinet. The complaint now initiates a procedural journey in the House of Representatives, where it will be evaluated for sufficiency in form and substance.
