MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives officially received and referred a second impeachment complaint against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the Committee on Justice on Monday, January 26, 2026.
The move formally triggers a constitutional one-year ban on the filing of any further impeachment proceedings against the President, a critical procedural milestone in the unfolding political drama.
The Two Complaints The House is currently dealing with two distinct impeachment bids:
- The De Jesus Complaint (Jan 19): Filed by lawyer Andre de Jesus, this 15-page complaint accuses the President of “kidnapping” predecessor Rodrigo Duterte, illegal drug use, and corruption. Critics, including Rep. Edgar Erice, have labeled it a “trash” complaint designed to fail but trigger the one-year ban to protect the President.
- The Makabayan Complaint (Jan 26): Filed by the Makabayan bloc and various activist groups, this complaint is widely considered more “substantial.” It focuses on the “BBM Parametric Formula”—an alleged corrupt scheme within the DPWH—and supports claims of kickbacks from anomalous government projects.
Key Developments in the House
- The Transmittal: House Secretary General Cheloy Garafil formally received the Makabayan complaint on Monday. During the afternoon session, Deputy Speaker Yevgeny Emano referred both complaints to the Committee on Justice for deliberation.
- Sandro’s Recusal: In a significant move, the President’s son, House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, announced his formal recusal from all discussions and proceedings regarding the impeachment cases. “My recusal ensures that no question may be raised about the fairness, objectivity, or legitimacy of the process,” the younger Marcos stated.
- Procedural Hurdles: The Makabayan bloc initially faced resistance when trying to file their complaint on January 22, alleging that the Office of the Secretary General refused to acknowledge receipt until Monday.
What Happens Next? The House Committee on Justice now has the responsibility to determine if the complaints are:
- Sufficient in Form: Does the complaint follow the required legal format and include necessary verification?
- Sufficient in Substance: Do the allegations constitute impeachable offenses under the Constitution (e.g., culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption)?
If the committee finds a complaint sufficient, it will proceed to hearings to determine “probable cause.” Given the President’s overwhelming majority in the House, analysts believe the complaints face a steep uphill battle, but the formal referral ensures that the allegations will be part of the official congressional record for the next year.