An impeachment complaint was filed in the House of Representatives on Monday against President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., citing alleged constitutional violations, graft, and betrayal of public trust.
The complaint, lodged by lawyer Andre de Jesus and endorsed by Pusong Pinoy Partylist Representative Jett Nisay, raised several issues including the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, the alleged failure to veto unprogrammed appropriations, and accusations of illegal drug use.
“We are putting to question and holding the President accountable, number one, for allowing a citizen of our country to just be whisked away, kidnapped virtually, and brought to a foreign land without due process, despite fully functioning courts here in the country,” De Jesus said.
He also faulted Marcos for “failing, flagrantly failing to veto unprogrammed appropriations… despite being able to do so.”
The lawyer pointed to the 2024 budget signed by Marcos, which contained a provision allowing transfers of funds from government-owned corporations to the national treasury—later ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. He also questioned the administration’s handling of alleged ghost and substandard flood control projects.
De Jesus further raised concerns over allegations of drug use.
“Next, we’re also putting into question the fitness of the President to still govern our country… an allegation that our sitting President might be somehow involved in an addiction of some sort to prohibited drugs should be alarming,” he said, adding that the issue has been “dodged by the President” and Malacañang.
He argued that silence on such allegations could be taken as admission under rules of evidence: “That failure to react, it can be taken against you. In other words, that is a rule of evidence that codifies silence means yes.”
De Jesus also accused the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) of being used selectively.
“I feel that the ICI has been weaponized by the government in order to protect his allies, the respondent’s allies, President Marcos’ allies, and target political enemies,” he said.
He stressed that the impeachment process provides a venue for the Filipino people to address unresolved issues.
“We feel that apart from the President being an impeachable officer, we feel that this avenue would enable not just myself as complainant, not just Cong. Jett as the endorser, but the Filipino people to thresh out all these matters which are being raised but are not answered at all by the President and his Cabinet and his officers,” de Jesus added.