The House justice committee ruled on Monday that two impeachment complaints against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. were sufficient in form. On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, the panel will assess if they hold sufficient substance. If approved, the process will advance to notify Marcos.
On Monday, February 2, 2026, the House justice committee, chaired by Rep. Gerville Luistro, voted that two impeachment complaints against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. were sufficient in form. The complaint filed by private lawyer Andre de Jesus passed 46-1, with one abstention. The Makabayan bloc's complaint, led by former congresswoman Liza Maza, passed 35-9, with one abstention.
Rep. Bienvenido Abante was the sole dissenter, arguing the complaints lacked form and wasted public funds. Rep. Rufus Rodriguez questioned the Makabayan complaint's verification due to missing notarization, but the vote proceeded after confirming both followed the same format.
On Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 10 a.m., the committee resumes to evaluate the complaints' substance, including allegations of corruption in public works projects, budget irregularities, enabling former President Rodrigo Duterte's arrest and transfer to The Hague, and claims of drug addiction in Jett Nisay's endorsement. If approved, this would initiate the first impeachment proceeding of the 20th Congress, notifying Marcos to respond.
Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora stated the recent Supreme Court ruling on Vice President Sara Duterte's case has no effect, as these complaints were filed by ordinary citizens and endorsed by House members, unlike Duterte's. Reps. Luistro and Keith Flores agreed. House Senior Deputy Majority Leader Lorenz Defensor emphasized the House is not bound by SC rulings on impeachment rules due to separation of powers, following the 1987 Constitution's intent instead.
Constitutional framer Rene Sarmiento criticized the SC decision as judicial overreach that hinders future impeachments. From Malacañang, Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said Marcos committed no impeachable offense but is concerned about economic impacts. 'He did nothing wrong, but it will affect the whole country,' she said.
