(UPDATE) AN impeachment complaint was filed against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday, charging him with violating the Constitution and betraying the public trust “by surrendering” former president Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The complaint, filed by lawyer Andre de Jesus, was endorsed by House Deputy Minority Leader and Pusong Pinoy party-list Rep. Jernie Jett Nisay.
In March 2025, Duterte was brought to the Netherlands after his arrest based on a warrant from the Hague-based ICC, which had investigated him in connection with the bloody drug war in which thousands of drug suspects were killed.
After his arrest, he appeared through video link, before the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber One for the initial hearing on the charge of crimes against humanity.
The complaint alleged that Marcos was “unfit to serve” as president because of “drug addiction” — an allegation frequently made by Duterte supporters.
“By remaining silent and evasive, respondent tellingly confirmed public suspicion and betrayed the trust of a nation he swore to serve,” the complaint read.
It was also alleged in the complaint that Marcos “committed betrayal of public trust when he failed to veto unprogrammed appropriations” in the budget bills from 2023 to 2026.
The president was also accused of corruption and that he had created the Independent Commission for Infrastructure “to shield corrupt allies.” Speaker Faustino Dy III, however, said he saw no basis to justify the impeachment complaint.
“It is clear that our president is fulfilling the mandate entrusted to him by the public, according to law,” Dy said in Filipino in a statement.
“In the reopening of session, the House is focused on passing meaningful laws that will truly uplift the lives of the Filipino people,” he said.
Under the 1987 Constitution, only the House has the power to initiate impeachment cases and the Senate has the power to try and decide impeachment cases initiated by the House.
The Constitution states that if the verified complaint or resolution of impeachment is filed by at least a third of all House members, the same shall constitute the impeachment articles, “and trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed.” The Palace said the president would continue the discharge of his duties even as an impeachment complaint against him has already been filed at the House of Representatives.
“The Palace recognizes that the filing of complaints is part of the democratic process provided for under our Constitution. We respect this process and trust that Congress, as a co-equal branch of government, will discharge its duties with honesty, integrity, and fidelity to the rule of law,” Malacañang said in a statement released through the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
The Palace said Marcos would address the matter within the bounds of the law and “remains confident in the strength of our democratic institutions.” “While these processes take their course, the president will continue to govern, ensuring that public services remain uninterrupted and that the work of government stays focused on improving the lives of our people,” it said.
“Our institutions are strong, our processes are clear, and the administration remains committed to stability, accountability, and the betterment of every Filipino,” it added.
In a separate briefing, PCO Undersecretary Claire Castro said Marcos strongly believes legislators would think and act rationally in deciding whether or not the impeachment would prosper.
“We know that even before this happened, there could be an impeachment complaint against our president. We said that the president will respect the Constitution and respect the process,” Castro said in Filipino.
“The president believes that our legislators will use their minds, their hearts. And they will act in accordance with the law and not for personal gain. The president believes in the institution,” she added.
