Unlike Sara Duterte’s, Marcos impeach complaint sent to Speaker's office in days

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January 21, 2026 | 12:06pm

MANILA, Philippines — Unlike the impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte, the one lodged against President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. was transmitted to the House speaker's office just two calendar days after filing. 

House Secretary General Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil confirmed on Wednesday, January 21, that she has acted on the complaint in line with her office’s administrative and constitutional responsibilities.

“Pursuant to established procedure, the Office of the Secretary General has transmitted the verified impeachment complaint to the Office of Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ G. Dy III for appropriate action,” she said in a statement. 

This, however, wasn't exactly the case with the three impeachment complaints filed against Duterte in December 2024.

Up until a fourth complaint was filed by more than one-third of the House members in February 2025, the first three complaints were archived. That's roughly two months before the complaints reached the plenary.

Under the House rules of procedure for impeachment, complaints filed by a citizen or a House member with the secretary general must “immediately” be referred to the House speaker.

It should then be included in the Order of Business within 10 session days from receipt and referred to the Committee on Justice within three session days after. 

Garafil said her office ensured the complaint was properly filed and recorded before forwarding it to the Speaker's office. 

Lawyer Andre de Jesus filed the complaint against Marcos on Monday, January 19, alleging three grounds for impeachment: culpable violation of the Constitution, graft and corruption and betrayal of public trust. The complaint was endorsed by Rep. Jett Nisay (Pusong Pinoy Party-list).

Once the justice committee formally receives the complaint, the panel will assess whether it is sufficient in form and substance. This means the stated reasons and evidence for impeachment will be reviewed before the committee rules to dismiss or move forward with the complaint.  

The complaint accuses Marcos of wrongfully orchestrating the arrest and transfer of former president Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court, authorizing unprogrammed appropriations, benefiting from kickbacks, creating the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to protect his allies, and engaging in illegal drug use.

Several House lawmakers, however, said the complaint is unlikely to prosper, arguing it appears rushed and lacks sufficient evidence. House Speaker Bojie Dy echoed this view, saying the complaint seems to have no merit. Still, he said the House will comply with its constitutional duty to process it.

However, if the first complaint reaches the House justice committee, is deemed initiated, and ultimately fails to proceed to trial, subsequent complaints filed within the same year would no longer be entertained under the Constitution’s one-year prohibition rule.

This is why some minority lawmakers, particularly members of the Makabayan bloc, have disclosed plans to endorse an impeachment complaint against the president filed by citizens from various sectors on Thursday, January 22. 

"We expect that this verified complaint will be transmitted to the Speaker and included in the order of business, and not be excluded in favor of what many are saying is a weak first complaint intended to shield the President," Bayan President Renato Reyes said in a statement. 

This still raises the question of whether the early transmittal of the complaint, even before Congress resumes session on January 26, could favor Marcos by swiftly initiating and possibly ending the impeachment process — thereby preventing future attempts until 2027.