Marcos Impeachment: Accountability or Political Spectacle?

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Marcos Impeachment: Accountability or Political Spectacle?

By Bing Jabadan and Wilma N. Yamzon – TheNATIONWEEK.com | February 3, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is facing a burgeoning impeachment threat as the House committee on justice approved two complaints, setting the stage for a potentially explosive investigation.

The crucial question: Is this a genuine pursuit of accountability or a politically charged performance destined to fail?

The committee’s vote declaring the complaints “sufficient in form” marks the first step in a process that could culminate in a Senate impeachment trial.

However, given Marcos’ commanding majority in Congress, the path to conviction remains steep, leading many to question the true intent behind the proceedings.

The Charges

Complaint 1:

• Lawyer Andre de Jesus accuses Marcos of “betraying public trust and violating the Constitution,” focusing on the alleged kidnapping of former President Rodrigo Duterte to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the failure to veto allegedly unconstitutional provisions in the 2023-2026 national budgets.

This complaint was passed with a 46-1-1 vote.

Complaint 2:

• Alleges “betrayal of public trust” related to the implementation of the Baselined-Balanced-Managed (BBM) Parametric Formula for infrastructure projects.

The complaint claims the formula has resulted in “ghost,” substandard, and overpriced flood management projects, leading to the misuse of public funds.

This complaint was passed with a 35-9-1 vote.

The Road Ahead:

The House justice committee is set to assess the “substantive adequacy” of the complaints.

This involves a rigorous examination of the evidence presented to determine if it adequately substantiates the alleged offenses and warrants impeachment.

“The verification must be accurately documented based on personal knowledge and authentic records, and it must be sworn under oath with a notary’s signature,” said House justice committee chairperson Gerville Luistro.

Opposition Voices

Representatives from the opposition are confident in the strength of their case.

“We are confident that our complaint is sufficient in substance and that the evidence we have presented is compelling,” Rep. Arlene Brosas said.

Rep. Raoul Manuel criticized the lack of investigations into the alleged Palace involvement, saying, “there has been no one called to face investigations.”

“Not a single investigation has been conducted regarding the Palace’s involvement and the President’s role at the pinnacle of power. We cannot let this slip by.”

Malacañang Response

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the administration respects the impeachment process.

“The President has stated he knows he has done nothing wrong, has not violated any laws, and has not committed impeachable acts. Thus, he is confident in himself,” Castro declared.

Accountability or Political Theater?

The impeachment process faces significant hurdles given the political landscape.

Observers believe this is a largely symbolic effort by the opposition to highlight perceived shortcomings and hold the administration accountable, even if a conviction in the Senate remains unlikely.

The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether the impeachment process is a genuine threat to the President or simply a dramatic display of political opposition.