MANILA – Senior House Deputy Minority Leader Rep. Edgar Erice revealed on January 12, 2026, that some lawmakers are preparing to file an impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for “betrayal of public trust” and other grounds. This could coincide with a renewed impeachment bid against Vice President Sara Duterte, as the one-year constitutional ban on refiling against her ends on February 6, following a Supreme Court ruling that declared last year’s complaint unconstitutional.
Erice described February as potentially “exciting” for the House, based on ongoing discussions. The article highlights the political tension amid allegations of budget corruption, with reactions from lawmakers emphasizing the need for evidence-based processes.
Key Points
- Impeachment Against Marcos: Grounds include “betrayal of public trust” and “gross inexcusable negligence” for allegedly allowing Congress to “desecrate” the budget through insertions, diversions, and amendments funding anomalous projects over three years (2023–2025). Erice cited Cabinet members’ involvement and Marcos’ silence as complicity.
- Impeachment Against Duterte: A fresh complaint may be filed after the one-year ban ends on February 6, following the Supreme Court’s ruling on the unconstitutionality of last year’s charges.
- Process: Complaints must be referred to the House committee on justice within three session days, per a recent Supreme Court ruling. Sufficiency in form and substance would be assessed, requiring one-third of House members’ votes for Senate trial.
- Context: Allegations stem from budget corruption scandals, including Cabinet resignations in November (Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, who denied wrongdoing).
Quotes
- Rep. Edgar Erice: “It may be an exciting February for the House, because based on what I have been hearing, discussions are not limited to the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte. There are also congressmen who are planning to file an impeachment complaint against President (Ferdinand) Marcos (Jr.).”
- Erice on Marcos’ Alleged Betrayal: “What I see is a betrayal of public trust because, for three years, he more or less allowed Congress to desecrate his budget. He did not speak up… It can be considered a gross inexcusable negligence which is one of the grounds for [betrayal of] public trust.”
- Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong: “Any impeachment complaint must be supported by clear facts and solid proof. Anything less will not pass constitutional scrutiny… Impeachment is a serious constitutional process. It cannot be based on rumors, speculation, or political talk.”
- House Deputy Speaker Paolo Ortega V: “Impeachment is not a press release. It is a constitutional process that demands proof. We will examine any complaint based on the Constitution and evidence—nothing more, nothing less.”
- Malacañang Press Officer Claire Castro: “At this point, these are unsubstantiated statements allegedly coming from the supporters of a certain politician… The President respects the existing constitutional processes and believes that any actions taken by members of Congress will be driven by facts, the law, and national interest.”
Reactions and Context
- Some pro-Vice President groups reportedly contacted Erice to endorse the Marcos impeachment, but he declined.
- Lawmakers like Adiong and Ortega V stressed evidence over speculation, rejecting impeachment as a political tool.
- Malacañang dismissed the rumors as unsubstantiated political maneuverings, focusing on the President’s respect for legal processes.
- The developments build on prior scandals, with Erice’s comments from a dzRH interview.
This potential dual impeachment highlights escalating political tensions ahead of the 2028 elections.