Sandro Marcos won't join committee talks on dad Bongbong's impeach raps

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January 26, 2026 | 1:54pm

MANILA, Philippines — House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos said he will not participate in the committee deliberations concerning the impeachment complaints filed against his father, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

In a statement on Monday, January 26, Sandro announced his recusal from Committee on Rules discussions on the impeachment complaints, even though House rules do not require him to do so. 

"In view of the impeachment complaints filed against President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., who is my father, I have decided to formally recuse myself from all discussions, deliberations, and proceedings of the House Committee on Rules insofar as these complaints are concerned," he said.

As majority leader, he was automatically assigned chair of the Committee on Rules, which manages the flow and referral of bills, the Order of Business, and all matters relating to House rules in congressional probes and impeachment proceedings.

"While I am fully aware that the Rules of the House do not require my inhibition, and while I remain confident in the independence and professionalism of my colleagues, I recognize that leadership sometimes calls for restraint rather than participation," Sandro said. 

The majority leader also said he was recusing himself to preserve public trust in both the impeachment process and the Constitution, adding that "perception matters as much as procedure," especially at a time when institutions like Congress are facing criticism and declining public trust amid widespread corruption controversies.

"I take this step not as a retreat from responsibility, but as an affirmation of it. Public office is a trust, and that trust is strengthened when those who hold power are willing to step aside to protect the institution they serve," Sandro said. 

Whether or not he recuses himself, both the House rules and the Constitution clearly require that impeachment complaints be considered and referred to the justice committee. Even as the presidential son who chairs the Committee on Rules, Sandro would have no choice but to allow the complaints to reach the committee.

The real issue, critics say, is whether the committee will deliberate on the complaints fairly and independently, given Marcos' strong support in the House.

Complainants stressed that, despite this support, Marcos faces serious allegations of involvement in the budget insertions and kickback scheme —  claims that have yet to be investigated.

The complaints. Marcos faces two impeachment complaints filed before the House of Representatives. Only the first, submitted by lawyer Andre de Jesus and dismissed by some lawmakers as lacking merit, has been transmitted to the Speaker’s office.

The second, a more detailed complaint, was filed by progressive groups on Monday after the Office of the Secretary General refused to accept it last week.

If the first complaint is referred to the justice committee without the second, the impeachment proceedings would be considered officially initiated, effectively rendering the second complaint null and void under the one-year bar rule.